Gender Marriage

Annotated Bibliography: Gender Marriage, and Sexuality

Payling, S.J. (2001). The Economics of Marriage in Late Medieval England: The Marriage of Heiresses. The Economic History Review, 54(3), 413-429.

The aristocratic and male dominated society in medieval England is discussed in detail, providing various positions and set of standards to accommodate the natural desire to accumulate wealth. The unjust division of wealth among elder individuals deprives younger siblings from their natural rights. However, the highlighted male primogeniture law, accumulation of land and property, as well as the feminine rights as heiress were acceptable standards of medieval English society. The primitive nature of aristocratic society is played a major role in setting the stage for land dispersal and marriages.

The author takes a position contrary to the applauded practices of medieval England including the landed wealth, social prestige derived upon a monopoly of advantages, and marriages with desirable brides for heirs....
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