the man who sold his wife

This is, apparently, an 'English custom':
Wife selling (English custom) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia



The Man Who Sold His Wife for a Shilling

This story became the basis for Thomas Hardy's famous novel:


El alcalde de Casterbridge The Mayor of Casterbridge Episodio 1/2 subtitulado español - YouTube

Here's another version (without Spanish subtitles):
MAYOR OF CASTERBRIDGE EP 1 x 1 bbc - YouTube

And here is part of the opening chapter:

"For my part I don't see why men who have got wives and don't want 'em, shouldn't get rid of 'em as these gipsy fellows do their old horses," said the man in the tent. "Why shouldn't they put 'em up and sell 'em by auction to men who are in need of such articles? Hey? Why, begad, I'd sell mine this minute if anybody would buy her!"

The Mayor of Casterbridge, by Thomas Hardy
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