Marriage in Italy, 1300-1650

Marriage in the European past was a controlled social institution: parents arranged marriages, the interests of the family were put before those of the individual, and women were expected to be married. This book sets out to explore the consequences of the institution of marriage, especially for women, while also trying to suggest that it had limits. This more critical stance distinguishes this book from the few others available in English on marriage in the late medieval/early modern period, especially as regards Italy.