Home / Arts and Entertainment / Divorce Drama: A Century of Sex, Law, and Women's Rights
Divorce Drama: A Century of Sex, Law, and Women's Rights
21 Jul
Summary
- Christabel Russell's fight for her child's legitimacy sparked a famous divorce case.
- The 1921 trial involved accusations of adultery and an unconsummated marriage.
- The case exposed societal ignorance about sex and influenced divorce law reform.
In the spring of 1921, Christabel Russell's pregnancy ignited a national scandal when her husband, John, questioned the child's legitimacy. He alleged adultery, citing their unconsummated marriage. This led to a sexually explicit courtroom drama that captivated the nation and spurred King George V to advocate for legal reform.
Historian Lucy Worsley explores this extraordinary case, examining how the Russell's trial exposed widespread ignorance about sex in the 1920s. The episode delves into the fight for women's legal rights over three centuries, questioning what progress has been made toward true legal equality today.
Joined by Professor Rosalind Crone and top divorce lawyer Ayesha Vardag, the discussion unpacks the 'case of the virgin birth.' They analyze how divorce law in the 1920s unfairly discriminated against women and consider whether current divorce proceedings offer women fairer treatment.
