A History of Matrimonial Institutions, Vol. 2 of 3

"A History of Matrimonial Institutions, Vol. 2 of 3" by George Elliott Howard is a detailed, turn-of-the-century study focused on the evolution of marriage-related rules and traditions, especially in England and the United States. The book checks out what people thought about marriage and family in early times. It presents an overview of marital laws and customs through the ages, then concentrates on separation and divorce laws in England, as influenced by religious law; it explores early Christian rules about divorce, views of church leaders, and legal changes via Roman law, revealing that the idea of marriage as lasting forever changed over time. The author aims to create a full picture of how these historical foundations have molded today's ideas about marriage and divorce, by looking at both the official legal rules and unwritten social expectations.