Breach of promise actions were proceedings, usually but not invariably brought by a woman, seeking damages for a broken promise to marry. Judges being aware of the law and most usually beyond the proposing age at the date of their appointments, breach of promise actions against them were rare.
The above story from the Sunderland Daily Echo of 3 May, 1884 involved a breach of promise action by Marion Carpenter, a young, rich and beautiful woman of 21, against Irish County Court judge Dr Darley (‘a man with more than seventy winters on his head’). It was subsequently settled by Judge Darley agreeing to pay Ms Carpenter £1500.
Civil actions at the time were heard before a jury, and when news of the settlement broke (to great disappointment, as the evidence was anticipated to be ‘piquant’), there were many jokes about the judge having switched places with the jury to declare himself guilty.
Despite the fifty year disparity in age between the parties, the relative wealth of the plaintiff in this case suggests amore, rather than financial gain, as the motivating factor behind the proceedings.
Testament to the enduring charisma of the Irish bar and bench?
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