Caroline Norton's Battle: Reforming Women’s Rights in Victorian EnglandIn this episode of 'She Changed History,' hosts Cara and Vicky dive into the life and relentless struggle of Caroline Norton, a Victorian-era woman whose tragic marital circumstances led her to become a pivotal figure in legal reforms for women's rights in England. The episode discusses Norton's unfortunate marriage with George Norton, highlighting the domestic violence, legal battles, and Caroline's tireless efforts to change child custody laws and married women's property rights. The hosts emphasize Caroline's impactful writings and pamphlets, her relationship with high society figures, and her crucial role in the passing of the Custody of Infants Act and the Marriage and Divorce Act. Despite not being a feminist by today’s standards, Norton's advocacy laid foundational changes that significantly improved women's legal standing in the 19th century.Sources:Difficult Women by Helen Lewis https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/norton_caroline.shtmlhttps://www.britannica.com/biography/Caroline-Nortonhttps://law-school.open.ac.uk/news/meet-caroline-norton-fighting-women%E2%80%99s-rights-it-was-even-coolhttps://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/blue-plaques/caroline-norton/https://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/norton/nc-biography.htmlhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whigs_(British_political_party)00:00 Introduction and Friendly Banter01:54 Introducing Caroline Norton03:43 Caroline's Early Life and Family Struggles10:42 Marriage to George Norton13:17 The Unfortunate Marriage15:00 Caroline's Fight for Independence16:01 The Affair and Legal Battles20:32 The Male-Dominated Trial22:26 Caroline's Struggle for Custody24:25 Using Writing as a Weapon25:26 The Fight for Legal Reform31:41 A Heartbreaking Loss33:01 Caroline's Continued Battle35:56 The Marriage and Divorce Act39:36 Caroline's Legacy40:54 Final Thoughts and Reflections43:20 Closing Remarks

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