The students couple never ever changed so you’re able to matrimony. 47 Because a separating gift and you may lasting symbol of its connection, she enclosed along with her missive the brand new token out-of a reduced band:

We have a little band which i used of several day while i are pleased than just Iam right now. I am able to split it and you may send you the latest half of they[.] [E]ver we bejoined they will likely be so too if not We at the least will stay as it’s. forty eight

This new band alluded in order to in the page is probably an equivalent busted band that endures about Tennent range: a tiny piece of metal that looks to possess already been both slash or clicked by 50 percent. forty-two

Hannah’s choice to provide it message having a ring is important as soon as we just remember that , Tennent got considered matrimony. The importance of the new band are further sharp when we thought the materiality because an individuals personalized. Inside the anyone ballads, tokens was indeed often used to symbolise the effectiveness of close attachment, becoming markers out-of fidelity and you will faith. As the Peter Wood keeps noted, of many men songs focus on the like anywhere between an earlier partners exactly who attempt to be united even with barriers. Opposition out-of parents (as in Hannah’s case), or estrangement for the reason that battle or armed forces provider, was the cause of more youthful couple to region. An effective token – usually a ring, was then traded to determine the relationship and you can useful for this new reason for reunification. 50 When you are alternatives of these ‘damaged token’ music had been recorded round the The uk and Ireland, students try undecided concerning perhaps the ballads mirrored societal behavior. Andrew Rouse, such as, features suggested that broken token ballads recommend not to the latest actual busting regarding tokens towards the a couple of pieces, but into the practice of partners selling and buying gimmal groups, called connected bands. 51 These types of tokens were made right up of a two fold (or either multiple) connect that will be entered along with her on the you to solid band. 52 It absolutely was typical routine to split the brand new gimmal band during the betrothal between your persons to-be hitched as well as their witness. In the event that wedding happened and also the deal are completed, all of the about three bits would be reunited while the band found in the brand new ceremony itself. 53

In a few ballads, bands forgotten their lustre and you will altered for the along with in response so you can the new altering emotions otherwise ‘dying’ love of the newest bestower

Because ring in the newest Tennent collection doesn’t seem to become a beneficial gimmal band, the employment of this new busted band shows that the new bestower is actually about familiar with the fresh new wide visitors definitions of busted tokens. Indeed, due to the fact Katie Barclay has actually contended, ballads render a windows towards the societal beliefs and you will ‘actually determine realities’. 54 Getting Hannah, the fresh busted ring possess symbolised the potential for reunion, and not the permanent cessation out of this lady accessory so you’re able to Tennent. Given that David Bissell have browsed with regards to shed things, this new operate off reunification ‘helps make the target more apparent, improving the prospect of the item to affectually move others’. 55 Hannah’s object preference was thus deliberate; brand new reunification of one’s ring was a symbol into rekindling of its relationship.

Into the July 1821, Hannah wrote a page to help you Tennent and you will ended the dating, describing one she dreaded their father manage in the near future rumble the wonders love