Authorised marriages in 19th century England

[Espoir]

I have an ancestor who apparently married his deceased son's wife in the mid 1800's two years after they had a child together. I checked the authorised marriages list and this marriage was forbidden. Does anyone have an idea how they managed it?

[stanmapstone]

They did not tell whoever took the wedding the facts. The registrar or minister can only accept what they are told by the couple.

Stan

[Jebber]

You usually find these sort of marriages took place in parishes away from where the were known. Have found the details of where the marriage occurred?

[stanmapstone]

Just to add that bigamous marriages were illegal but many took place, as well as many other illegal marriages.

Stan