LONDON: British author Jane Austen, known the world over for her insightful take on 19th century society, created fake marriage documents with two separate men, archives have revealed.
In her novels, Austen wove tales of heroines navigating the patriarchal customs of the time to find stability and social status through advantageous marriages.
But the author herself never wed.
However, two fake marriage entries, written by Austen herself and announcing her union with two men believed to be imaginary, will soon go on display to mark the bicentenary of her death, the Hampshire Archives announced.
The documents were found in the marriage register in the parish of Steventon, in Hampshire in southeast England, where Austen grew up.
They announce the banns — a public announcement by the church of imminent nuptials — between Austen and Henry Fitzwilliam of London and then Edmund Mortimer of Liverpool.
Austen, believed to have been a teenager at the time, was able to access the register because her father was the rector of the parish.
“This unique document uncovers another side to Jane Austen’s character,” Andrew Gibson, Hampshire’s culture spokesman explained on the county’s website.
“Jane would have been in her teens when she wrote these fake marriage entries, and some could say it reveals a mischievous side during her younger years,” Gibson added.
Austen’s six major novels, realistically depicting the life of the British gentry in the Georgian era, have become classics of English literature.
They are taught in schools and are also regularly adapted on screen, especially “Pride and Prejudice” and “Sense and Sensibility.”
Born in Steventon, Austen spent her life in Hampshire, where she died in July 1817 at the age of 41.
Events to commemorate the anniversary of her death will take place across Britain this year.
Jane Austen faked her own marriage twice
Jane Austen faked her own marriage twice
6 planets will parade across the night sky at the end of February
NEW YORK: Six planets are linking up in the sky at the end of February, and most will be visible to the naked eye.
It’s what’s known as a planetary parade, which happens when multiple planets appear to line up in the sky at once. The planets aren’t in a straight line, but are close together on one side of the sun.
Skygazers can usually spot two or three planets after sunset, according to NASA. Hangouts of four or five that can be glimpsed with the naked eye are less common and occur every few years. Last year featured lineups of six and all seven planets.
When will they be visible?
On Saturday, Mercury, Venus, Jupiter and Saturn will be visible to the naked eye if clear skies allow. Uranus and Neptune can only be spotted with binoculars and telescopes.
What time is optimal for viewing?
Go outside about an hour after sunset and venture away from tall buildings and trees that will block the view. Look to the western sky and spot Mercury, Venus and Saturn close to the horizon. Jupiter will be higher up, along with Uranus and Neptune.
How to know if you’ve spied a member of the parade?
“If it’s twinkling, it’s a star. If it is not twinkling, it’s a planet,” said planetary scientist Sara Mazrouei with Humber Polytechnic in Canada.
The parade should be visible over the weekend and in the days after. Eventually, Mercury will bow out and dip below the horizon.
At least one bright planet is visible on most nights, according to NASA.
Glimpsing many in the sky at once is a fun way to connect with astronomers of centuries’ past, said planetary scientist Emily Elizondo with Michigan State University.
Ancient astronomers used to make sense of the universe “just by looking up at the stars and the planets,” Elizondo said, “which is something that we can do today.”
