Originally published in the Manchester Guardian on 16 December 1895: In readiness for married life, women and girls rush to join embroidery, laundry work, and table setting classes
14 Dec 2013: Anna Wharton married too young, for the wrong reasons, and had regrets at once. When she finally mustered the courage to end it – after just 15 months – not everyone was sympathetic. Now, a decade on, she knows she did the right thing
13 Dec 2013: Philip Hensher: Gay marriage is sanctioned from next year and legal protections are mostly in place, but it may take another generation for minds to slowly change
India has reinstated a ban on gay sex and Australia's high court has struck down a same-sex marriage law. Are state attitudes to homosexuality changing? We look at LGBT rights globally and see where criminalisation remains the norm
Originally published in the Guardian on 12 December 1983: Thrice-married Lady Docker had a gift for silliness and spending, something she carried off with undeniable charm