This work investigates the disparity between the formal legal statutes governing marriage and divorce in England and the actual social practices of individuals between 1660 and 1857. Lawrence Stone, a prominent historian of the family, utilizes a vast array of archival records and legal case files to demonstrate how citizens navigated the rigid, often inaccessible legal frameworks of the era. By examining specific instances of marital breakdown and formation, the author argues that the law frequently failed to reflect the complex realities of human relationships, leading to widespread circumvention and private negotiation.

Historians recognize this work as a significant contribution to the social history of the family, particularly for its use of anecdotal evidence to humanize legal history. Scholars frequently note that while the prose is accessible, the depth of archival research provides a rigorous foundation for understanding the evolution of domestic law.