Home > Europe > United Kingdom > England > London > Towns > Hither Green
The road to Gretna-Green
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Mary Evans Picture Library
The road to Gretna-Green
A couple look anxiously behind them, fearful that they may be pursued, as they make their way speedily to Gretna Green to be married. After an Act of Parliament was passed in 1753 banning the marriage of those under the age of 21 without parental consent, elopements to Scotland, where this Act did not apply, became extremely popular. Gretna-Green lies just across the England-Scotland border and was therefore a convenient choice for the bride and groom-to-be
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 4413340
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10418127
Anxiously Bride Escape Fearful Gretna Groom Hardy Haywood Heywood Married Marry Runaway Scot Land Whip Whips
FEATURES IN THESE COLLECTIONS
> Animals
> Farm
> Horses
> Related Images
> Animals
> Mammals
> Horse
> Related Images
> Arts
> Artists
> H
> C.B. Hardy
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> London
> Towns
> Hither Green
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> Scotland
> Dumfries and Galloway
> Gretna
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures the excitement and fear of a young couple as they make their daring escape to Gretna-Green for a clandestine marriage. The year was 1753, and the recent passing of the Marriage Act in England had made it illegal for those under the age of 21 to marry without parental consent. In response, elopements to Scotland, where this law did not apply, became a popular and risky solution for young lovers. Gretna-Green, located just across the English-Scottish border, was a convenient and well-known destination for runaway couples. In this image, the anxious bride and groom, dressed in their finest attire, are seen making a hasty getaway on horseback, their faces filled with a mixture of fear and determination. They are pursued by an agitated group of men, presumably family members or hired hands, who are hot on their trail. The couple's carriage, with its doors open, is left abandoned by the side of the road, a testament to their haste. The rugged Scottish landscape, with its rolling hills and winding roads, provides a dramatic backdrop to this historical scene. The couple's horses are in a frenzy, their hooves pounding the ground as they race towards their future. The scene is further enhanced by the presence of a hardy Scotsman, who rides alongside the couple, brandishing a whip to keep their pursuers at bay. This photograph is a poignant reminder of the lengths that young lovers were willing to go to in order to be together, and the enduring power of love to overcome even the most formidable obstacles.
MADE IN THE USA
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools
SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you
* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Cart.
