Archiepiscopal licence for marriage

[jennywren001]

Hi, am I correct in thinking that such a licence would let you get married somewhere other than a church.  The licence was applied for in 1848 in Norfolk.
Many thanks
Jen

[Marmalady]

I don't think so

The license merely did away with the need for the Banns to read in the parish church(es) of the bride & groom for 3 weeks

At that time, a marriage had to be held in a church or register office to be legal

[jennywren001]

Many thanks for the information Marmalady. I'll let my friend know.
Jen

[stanmapstone]

Hi, am I correct in thinking that such a licence would let you get married somewhere other than a church.  The licence was applied for in 1848 in Norfolk.
Many thanks
Jen

A Special Ecclesiastical Licence from the Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury,  permitted a marriage to be solemnised at any time and at any place, consecrated or not. Prior to 1755 both the Vicar General and the Master of Faculties were able to grant Special Licences, but after 20 January 1755 only the latter issued them. Today the fee payable for a Special Licence (issued by the Faculty Office on behalf of the Archbishop of Canterbury) is £310.00.

Stan

[jennywren001]

Thanks Stan - as you may know I'm well out of my depth south of the border
Jen

[stanmapstone]

I don't think so
The license merely did away with the need for the Banns to read in the parish church(es) of the bride & groom for 3 weeks
At that time, a marriage had to be held in a church or register office to be legal

That is a 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.

Stan

[Bookbox]

I don't see any suggestion in the original post that this was a Special Licence from the Faculty Office.

Norfolk was covered by the Archdiocese of Canterbury. Most licences issued by the Archbishop of Canterbury were Common or Ordinary Licences, which functioned as described above.

[stanmapstone]

I was explaining that it would have to be a Special Ecclesiastical Licence from the Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury, to enable you to  get married somewhere other than a church, as asked.

Stan

[stanmapstone]

I don't see any suggestion in the original post that this was a Special Licence from the Faculty Office.

An "Archiepiscopal marriage licence"  is  an Archbishop's Marriage Licence, granted by the vicar general, and not an Ordinary Licence.
archiepiscopal: Of, pertaining to, or of the nature of, an archbishop. OED
Stan