Wife selling (English custom)

Wife selling was a custom that was practiced in England in the 1700s and 1800s. It was a way for a married couple to end their marriage. The husband would take his wife to a public market or fair and stand with her so that other people could see her. He would then invite people to bid on his wife and the highest bidder would get to take her away with him. In some cases, the husband and wife would later get a divorce, but usually, the woman would stay with her new husband and begin a new life with him. It was a very strange custom, but it was seen as a way for a couple to separate without getting a divorce.