So laaawwwww

A couple were legally considered engaged when the woman could be said to have been led to believe there was an intention to marry. It didnt always require an asking. In some cases the evidence for this could be as tentative as asking a woman if she had ever considered getting married- a conversation under certain circumstances could be enough (case in limerick of a man asking a woman at a ball of she had inclination to marry soon- that was all it took if others had been led to believe they are more serious)

The standard for 'courting' was really low like going on a walk together more than once, dancing together twice at the same ball.

Courting to engagement was less than a year and a man could also be sued for breach of promise if he took too long to get to the alter. There are common law cases which confirm that a year was 'more than adequate' time for courtship, engagement and marriage in most circumstances, exceptions were made where the gent was in military service where he needed time to complete duty tours (ie engaged before we goes over seas- to be married when he got back) or one or other party was in mourning,

Fun fact
Only women could sue for breach of promise. A man could try but it was a high barrier to prove that the woman has only agreed to be engaged in order to spend your money and it was considered 'a woman's prerogative to change her mind' - but there were social implications. A man could be eligible for basically alimony to someone he broke his promise to, it was called 'heart balm'

I know what to have a crazy woman sue a guy for breach of promise and make a couple miserable