{In 16th century European society} Marriage was the triumphal arch through which women, almost without exception, had to pass in order to reach the public eye. And after marriage followed, in theory, the total self-abnegation of the woman.
In 16th century Europe, marriage served as a crucial gateway for women to be acknowledged in society. It was almost a prerequisite for women to enter the public sphere, emphasizing the importance of matrimony in establishing their social identities. Without marrying, most women would struggle to gain recognition or a voice in the community.
Furthermore, once married, the societal expectation was for women to fully dedicate themselves to their husbands and families, often leading to a loss of personal identity. This ideal of selflessness defined a woman's role within marriage, illustrating the significant pressure placed on women to conform to these stringent norms, as described in Antonia Fraser's work on the wives of Henry VIII.
