marriage rules

[mc8]

Although I haven't checked out the records to be sure yet-it seems that one of my husbands rellies married his sister's daughter in 1798. It would be a prohibited marriage now-does anyone know where I can find out what the situation was back then?

[behindthefrogs]

This area of marriage law is very difficult to work out but as far as I can see this particular marriage to a nephew or niece has been banned since the end of the 13th century.  At this time the four degrees of relationship were adopted and even marriage to cousins required special permission from the bishop.

Since then the main changes have been in the area of affinity where in 1949 marriage to the sister or brother of a previous spouse was allowed.  The problem really is to what extent the laws were enforced. 

I have an 1850 marriage to a husband's brother which was illegal at the time.

 If you go back to the 15th and 16th centuries, you will find that one of the reasons for divorce being allowed was the discovery that one's wife was a distant cousin.   Henry the eighth used that excuse.

David

[mc8]

Thanks for the info-I'll have to be careful how I record that one...

[linmey]

The old Book of Common Prayer which was used widely in the Church of England, though less so now, contained `A Table of Kindred and Affinity` which gave clear guidelines on who one was or was not allowed to marry.

[Guy Etchells]

Assuming you are asking about an English marriage the relevant law was introduced or confirmed by Canon 99 (1603) this includes sister's daughter.
Cheers
Guy