It wasn't uncommon in that period. It fluctuates depending on culture and time period, but back then, not so unusual. In his 40s, she'd have been his second or third wife, his previous ones probably have died in childbirth. Many times men wouldn't marry until they were established.
For example, Regency era, men didn't often marry until their late twenties early thirties if I remember right. And despite what romances say, you weren't on the shelf unless you put yourself there until your late 20s, according to research I've done (if I could find the link I'd send it to yoy). I believe this changed more in the Victorian era when marrying young came more in vogue again. And through out child birth took many women. I'm not as studied in that era though.
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It wasn't uncommon in that period. It fluctuates depending on culture and time period, but back then, not so unusual. In his 40s, she'd have been his second or third wife, his previous ones probably have died in childbirth. Many times men wouldn't marry until they were established.
For example, Regency era, men didn't often marry until their late twenties early thirties if I remember right. And despite what romances say, you weren't on the shelf unless you put yourself there until your late 20s, according to research I've done (if I could find the link I'd send it to yoy). I believe this changed more in the Victorian era when marrying young came more in vogue again. And through out child birth took many women. I'm not as studied in that era though.