They Broke Hearts and Promises Quiz

Answer: True

Technically, both men and women could bring such a lawsuit, but in practice, a man could only attempt to recover any actual goods or dowry he had given the woman, and would have to apply for permission from the court to bring the suit. A woman was considered to have the right to "change her mind" pretty much without penalty, whereas the situation in reverse was very different.

A woman who was engaged and then rejected was often viewed as somehow "spoiled" and could have real problems finding a husband afterwards, so a promise of marriage was taken very seriously by all concerned.

Answer: Helen van Ness

Louis "Merry" Merrilat was an army and college football star, and a decorated war hero. He had married Ethel Wynne in June 1915, and the case against him brought by Helen van Ness came to court in November of that year. She asked for damages of $20,000, but lost the case after Louis hired the famous lawyer Clarence Darrow to defend him.

Answer: The Pickwick Papers

Mr. Pickwick is sued by Mrs. Bardell after a major misunderstanding on her part leads her to believe he has proposed marriage. "The Pickwick Papers" was originally published in 1836, and was Dickens' first novel to be published as such, rather than by installments.

Answer: Frasier

The episode in question was the opening one of Series 8 of the show, and was broadcast in 2000. The previous series had ended with Niles declaring his love for Daphne, and the audience was left to wait and see if she would go through with the wedding to Donny, who was Niles' divorce lawyer. (Confused yet?)
Daphne was played by Jane Leeves.

Answer: Wreath Money

Traditionally (in some European countries), a bride who was a virgin on her wedding day would wear a wreath of myrtle. This was the basis for the term "wreath money", which would be demanded of a man who promised marriage in order to have his way with a woman, and then reneged on his promise.

The woman could take him to court to get money if he still refused to go through with the wedding. The Kranzgeld law was only officially repealed in Germany in 1998, and the last case came to court in 1993.

Answer: Paul's Grandfather

The film was first released in 1964, and was directed by Richard Lester.
Paul's grandfather was played by Wilfrid Brambell, who is famous for playing Albert Steptoe in the British comedy classic "Steptoe and Son". The show was remade and shown in the United States as "Sandford and Son".

Answer: Yes

A promise made *by* a minor was not considered to be legally binding, but a promise made *to* a minor was. This stemmed from the times when very young girls would be betrothed to older men in arranged marriages. This was usually done to secure land holdings or carry on a title, and the young bride-to-be was often sent to live with her fiance's family and be fostered by them until she was old enough for the wedding to take place.

It was common for the daughters of the landed aristocracy to be married at just thirteen or fourteen years of age.

Answer: Maria Edgeworth

"Belinda" was originally published in three parts, and was Maria's first full-length novel. It is notable in that it included a mixed race marriage between a coloured man and a white woman, which was scandalous at the time. Later editions were printed with that part deleted to avoid causing any more scandal.
Edgeworth is also known for her non-fiction philosophical treatise on education, "Practical Education" which was first published in 1798.

Answer: Trial by Jury

"Trial by Jury" was first staged in 1825, and was a huge hit with the audiences of the time. It is now considered to be the first of their thirteen "Savoy Operas".

Answer: 1930s

It was in 1935 that the first restrictions began on bringing breach of promise cases in the US courts. One consequence of this was the increase in popularity of expensive engagement rings, deemed to provide some security for the woman if her fiance later refused to go through with the wedding.