Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning marry secretly in London and leave for Italy
- When
- 1846
- Where
- St Marylebone Parish Church; London
- Episodes
- 2
Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning married privately at St Marylebone Parish Church in London in 1846. The ceremony occurred secretly due to Barrett's fear of her father's disapproval. Following the marriage, the couple departed for the continent, eventually settling in Italy for health reasons.
Episodes
- Secret Marriage
Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning married privately at St Marylebone Parish Church in London in 1846.
- Departure for Italy
The couple left London for the continent, honeymooning in Paris before settling in Italy in September 1846.
Background and detail
Background. Elizabeth Barrett Browning was an established Victorian poet whose 1844 volume Poems attracted the admiration of Robert Browning. Browning met Barrett in 1845, when she lived as a semi-invalid in her father's house in Wimpole Street, London. The marriage was conducted secretly because Barrett knew her father would disapprove of the union, necessitating a private ceremony rather than a public announcement.
Ceremony. The couple married at St Marylebone Parish Church in London. The marriage certificate is preserved in the church archives. Elizabeth Wilson, Barrett's lady's maid, witnessed the ceremony. The event was private, reflecting the couple's need to conceal the union from Barrett's family.
Departure. After the marriage, the couple honeymooned in Paris before moving to Italy in September 1846. The move to Italy was motivated by Elizabeth's health. They remained in Italy almost continuously until her death, establishing it as their home.
People involved
- Elizabeth Barrett Browning · Poet
- Robert Browning · Poet
- Elizabeth Wilson · Witness
Sources
- Elizabeth Barrett Browning Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-16
- St Marylebone Parish Church Wikipedia, revision of 2026-08-23
- Robert Browning Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-14
Machine-drafted from the cited Wikipedia passages and checked by a reviewing model, not by a human editor. Every passage cites the revision it was written from; dates and places follow those passages.