Marriage by Licence

[mrs griff]

If a couple married by licence in 1798, what would the reason be ,

           Regards Mrs Griff

[stanmapstone]

A Licence was popular because it had the advantage of relative speed and secrecy, and facilitated a marriage in Lent when banns should not have been called. It was also favoured by those with rude surnames in order to avoid titters when the banns were read out 

Stan

[mrs griff]

Thanks Stan
                      The lady in question had a 2year old child and the surname of Fox so i suppose its take my pick .
                                 Mrs Griff

[behindthefrogs]

Even in those days a marriage in a posh London church was preferable to the local parish church.  In this case a licence was the most convenient way to do it.

David

[stanmapstone]

As the marriage was by licence,  it was, therefore, either a Common Licence or a Special Licence.

Common/Ordinary Licence - This could be obtained from any bishop, archbishop or a representative, 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

[Comosus]

Don't jump to conclusions, but I think a lot of the time it was done because the bride was pregnant.  Although having said that my GGG Grandparents married by licence and there's no sign of a child... but it could have been stillborn, or maybe there was another reason for a fast wedding.  We may never know, unfortunately.

Andrew

[behindthefrogs]

Back in around 1800 there was no particular stigma to being pregnant at the time of marriage.  In fact in some communities it was considered desirable as it showed that both the bride and groom were fertile.

David

[MarieC]

Also if they were Roman Catholic, required by law to marry in the Established Church, but obviously wanted to do so with the maximum speed and the least fuss possible.  Several of my RC ancestors did this, marrying by licence in C of E churches.

MarieC

[stanmapstone]

Licences were popular with certain families, especially those that did not wish to have their domestic affairs paraded  before the other parishioners on the three Sundays that the banns were read   Licences also seem to have been particularly popular with sailors  

Stan