London Season

Article reserved The London Season is a traditional annual period during which members of the upper class British society attend or host parties, balls and receptions to find favourable partners for marriage.

History

The London Season developed out of coincidence during the 17th and 18th centuries when members of the parliament met in the British capital to discuss politics. During the long months of sittings of the parliamant, the members of parliament travelled to London with their families. This led to an increase of members of the upper class residing in the city who wanted to be entertained and socially integrated during the parliamentary recess from spring to summer. In May 1886, a British journalist described this new phenomenon as follows:

"To give a definition of the London season that would satisfy a West End lady and inform an inquiring Oriental is not an easy task. The difficulty arises from the fact that the "season" is not [...] limited by fixed dates [...] It is not especially the dancing season, the riding-in-the-Row season, the Parliamentary season, the drum season, the bazaar season, or the garden party season, but the season of all combined." [Harper´s New Monthly Magazine in Gosling, 7]

The Season comprised a series of events for which the upper class society would come together and cultivate relationships.

The London Season was an "intensive three-month social whirl participated in by those whose breeding, wealth and status marked them out as the so-called cream of the British society" [Gosling, 5].

Modern Reception

The London Season is referenced in popular culture. Especially in the TV show Bridgerton, the plot revolves around preparing for the London season and finding favourable partners for the daughters from upper class families.

Sources

Gosling, Lucinda: Debutantes and the London Season, Shire Publications, 2013.