How far romanticism and misrepresentation of the past is a problem is a serious topic of debate amongst the public and historians. Given the popularity of historical dramas, it seems prudent that they should be historically accurate as they act as a launchpad for history. But would people want to watch them? Bridgerton achieved a viewership of 82 million households and became the most-watched series on Netflix. The series reached No. 1 in 76 countries, yet is based on fiction written by Julia Quinn. Harlots is another drama set in the Georgian era based on the book ‘The Covent Garden Ladies’ by historian Hallie Rubenhold, and while popular, was cancelled unable to sustain the interest Bridgerton drew in. But what’s true and what isn’t in these dramas? Does it even matter?

Marriage in period dramas is ALWAYS an exciting episode, filled with spectacle and romance. Marriage is also critical to every woman’s life in such Georgian shows. For example, in Pride and Prejudice, it is Mrs Bennet’s life goal to marry her daughters to good matches. The same is apparent in Bridgerton by which the first season is built around Daphne’s quest for marriage and how joyous she should be should she find a suitable love match. But, marriage was not always desirable to women, particularly not in the 1750s when the constitution of legal marriage was changed forever…