Arranged Marriages - An Ancient Tradition

Obviously, marriage has been around for a long time. The institution goes back to ancient times – even back to Adam and Eve. The Bible refers to them as husband and wife, though a ceremony isn’t mentioned in Genesis.

There is evidence that marriage contracts were in place some four thousand years ago in Mesopotamia. A baked clay tablet was found by archaeologists in Turkey that outlines the agreements in place for a marriage between Laqipum and Hatala. It was written in cuneiform which is one of the earliest forms of writing used in Mesopotamia. The agreement covers what would happen if the couple didn’t have children within two years and the financial arrangements should they divorce. The tablet is on display at the Istanbul Archaeologist Museum.

Throughout history, marriage has been a way to preserve power and wealth. Upper class fathers would arrange for their daughters to be married to those who could help the family. Alliances were formed, land was acquired, and fortunes were secured through marriage. Producing legitimate heirs was a way to solidify business dealings and wealth expansion. A form of this practice is still in place today in many cultures. We even see it among the wealthy aristocratic society in the US, though it’s usually handled in a more subtle manner.

Love was rarely a concern when these matches were agreed upon. Marriage was a serious matter and emotion was never considered an appropriate basis for an establishment that launched legacies and dynasties. If a couple came to care for each other after the ceremony, that was all well and good, but love was never part of the initial equation.

As people became interested in more than mere survival, they looked to marriage to help fill the need for happiness and elevated companionship. Some rebelled against the wills of their fathers. In historical romance stories, a strong heroine who goes against the rules is engaging to read about. Crafting stories around a strong heroine is fun, too.

In Choosing Love, I enjoyed bringing Rebecca Holdsworth to life. While Rebecca voiced her opinion, she was staunchly over-ruled. She loved her parents, so she agreed to their plan to keep the peace, though she dreaded the day she’d become the wife of Coby Jenkes.

Here’s the description of my latest story:

Rebecca Holdsworth is about to become betrothed. She should be excited. Happy. Looking forward to a life of love. But she's not. She accepts her parent's plan for her grudgingly because she doesn't have much of a choice. The family ranch needs to join forces with the Jenkes family and marriage to Coby Jenkes is the way this will happen.

Hayden Galsworthy is an average man. As the schoolmaster, his job is to help mold the lives of the children in town by teaching them to read, write, and do math. He loves his job. When he does what any person with a heart would do in a time of crisis, he becomes a heralded hero. It's a position he's not comfortable in.

When Hayden and Rebecca formally meet, they're quietly taken with each other. She's betrothed to another, so he admires her from afar. She longs for her betrothed to be more like Hayden. It's an impossible situation for them both. Is there a chance God is working behind the scenes? Can two people who are really meant to be together find a way to change the plan or will they need a little help?

You can find Choosing Love on Amazon.

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Annie Boone writes sweet western historical romance with a happy ending guaranteed in every single story. Inspiration comes in many forms and Annie finds more than one way to make her stories entertain and inspire.
 
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