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Author Topic: Marriage Licences  (Read 117 times)
orange17
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Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
Marriage Licences
« on: Thursday 22 October 09 14:59 UTC (UK) »
I have two marriages by licence, both taking place in Greystoke in Cumberland, in the years 1801 and 1803.  Having contacted Cumbria Record Office I have been told that all their marriage licence records were destroyed when they "took a decision in 1911-12 to calendar the surviving licences etc."  They have searched their "calendar" records but are unable to find any trace of my two marriages, although they confirm that they are recorded in the parish church as by licence.
They have also stated that "the licences may have been issued by a higher church authority", and "in some particular circumstances you need a different kind of licence (Archbishop's) to marry in either particular buildings or under special circumstances".
What I would like to know is how do I find out if the two licences were issued in this manner, and if they were, where I might find details of these licences.
Any help will be most appreciated.
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stanmapstone
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Re: Marriage Licences
« Reply #1 on: Thursday 22 October 09 15:36 UTC (UK) »
Hi Welcome to RootsChat
A visit to the clergyman issuing the licence resulted in three documents, an allegation or affidavit, a marriage bond and the licence. The actual licence was issued to the bridegroom who presented it to the priest conducting the marriage. The licence could then have been kept by the priest, or returned to the diocesan registries, or given to the couple on their wedding day and kept within the family, but usually does not survive. The allegation and bond would filed in the Diocesan Registry. After 1823 bonds ceased to be necessary.

Stan
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Mapstone, Mapston. Sunderland, Somerset
Census Information is Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
stanmapstone
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Posts: 6611


My answers only refer to England and Wales


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Re: Marriage Licences
« Reply #2 on: Thursday 22 October 09 15:39 UTC (UK) »
The marriage was by licence, therefore it was either a Common Licence or a Special Licence.

Common/Ordinary Licence - This could be obtained from any bishop or archbishop, Chancellor or Surrogate, and meant the Banns need not be read - and so there was not the delay of two weeks. A sworn statement was given that there was no impediment [parties were not related to one another in the prohibited degrees, proof of deceased spouse given]. The marriage was required to take place in church or chapel where one party has already lived for 4 weeks. It was also good for 3 months from date of issue.

Special Licence - Obtained from Doctors Commons in London, from the Archbishop of Canterbury or his representative. The difference between this and the Ordinary licence was that it granted the right of the couple to marry at any convenient time or place. All other requirements were the same. Names of both parties were given at the time of the application.


Stan
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Mapstone, Mapston. Sunderland, Somerset
Census Information is Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
orange17
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Posts: 2


Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
Re: Marriage Licences
« Reply #3 on: Thursday 22 October 09 15:47 UTC (UK) »
Stan,

Many thanks for your very helpful information.  I am about to contact the Borthwick Institute in York to see if they can help.

David
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