In 1836 Alfred encountered Emily for the second time. In that year, Alfred’s brother, Charles, married Emily’s sister, Louisa, and It fell to the poet to escort Emily’s sister, who was a bridesmaid, to the church. It was while they were there that a “pleasant truth” descended upon Alfred. [1]
Alfred, Lord Tennyson, one of the most celebrated poets of the Victorian era, had a love story of his own that transcended the pages of his verses. His marriage to Emily Sellwood is a tale of enduring literary romance.
Tennyson and Emily first crossed paths in 1830 when he was still a struggling poet. The two met at a social gathering, and their connection was immediate. Emily was drawn to Tennyson’s intellect and passion for poetry, while Tennyson was captivated by Emily’s grace and intelligence. A deep friendship blossomed that would soon evolve into something more profound.
The couple’s courtship was not without challenges. They first became engaged in 1838, but two years later Alfred broke it off due to his unsteady financial situation. He proposed once more around 1847, but this time Emily refused, fearing Alfred’s religious scepticism and it was not until 1850 that she finally agreed to the marriage.
By all accounts, Emily and Alfred never wavered in their love for one another and suffered deeply during their various estrangements. Tennyson penned some of his most heartfelt and passionate poems during this period, many of which were dedicated to her.
Finally, in 1850, after nearly two decades of courtship, the wedding took place on 13 June at Shiplake Church in Oxfordshire, England. Tennyson was aged 40, his bride was 36, and their on-again-off-again courtship had lasted for 20 years. It was a modest affair attended by close friends and family, as the couple still faced financial constraints, however, the simplicity of the ceremony did not diminish its significance.
It isn’t clear why Emily changed her mind in 1850, it can’t have been for reasons of personal status or prestige: Alfred was not appointed Poet Laureate until November 1850 – five months after the wedding – and it was 1883 before he received a peerage. Later, Tennyson wrote: “The Peace of God came into my life before the altar when I wedded her”; and to his wife, he dedicated two poems of great beauty – Roses on the Terrace and June Bracken and Heather. They had two sons, Hallam (b. 1852) and Lionel (b. 1854).
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