Why marry in Windsor when live and work in Worcestershire?

[vapcq45]

Would anyone know why my 2xGt Grandfather and Grandmother, who were poor Irish (he was a Hawker, she a Dressmaker) who hailed from Stourbridge in Worcestershire might marry in Windsor?

Martin Loftus b Wolverhampton 1844 and Bridget Ware b Shrewsbury 1849, married on 4th July 1868.  As far as I can tell, there were no relatives living there and so I wonder if there might have been an occasion which might have drawn them there?

It seems they stayed in Bier Lane which is now River Street, and by 1871 census they are in Melton Mowbray.  I know they travelled as he was a Hawker (don't know what of) but Windsor would have been a great distance from them.

Any ideas would be very welcome!

[Craclyn]

She would only be 19. Maybe her parents would not give consent so they moved to somewhere where they could hide her real age and pretend she was over 21. What does their marriage certificate say?

[Pheno]

A pair of mine didn't travel so far to marry but married some distance from their parish.  The vicar was known to give a loaf of bread to all who wed in his Church.

Pheno

[louisa maud]

A couple of mine went from near Suffolk to  be married on London then back home again,  he married his sister in law and on tbe birth of their first child the incumbent had written it was an illegal marriage, they were obviously well known in a very small village, their parish priest might not have married them locally

Louisa Maud

[Rena]

This is one of those occasions when you need the local knowledge in the specific time and place. 

According to Genuki it was quick and easy to get to Windsor either by river, the major London road, and railway.   The place doesn't seem to have any specific industries but does have rich well to do people and would have had plenty of markets and fairs throughout the year.

If he was a hawker I'm wondering if there was a successful market fair in Windsor where he and a group of other hawkers planned to travel to. What could be better than successfully selling all your wares and having some pals around to celebrate a wedding - maybe several pals having several weddings.

[jc26red]

Could be because Martin Loftus was a Catholic and Bridget Ware wasn’t?

Martin was baptised at SS Peter &Paul Wolverhampton RC Church 28 July 1844
Son of Patricia and Brigitte Loftus

Alternatively, you might want to check to see if Martin enlisted in the army? Large barracks at Windsor

Ps Rena, I was born and bought up in Windsor

[vapcq45]

Some great suggestions!  Thank you.  Bridget was 21 on the marriage certificate.  Both were Roman Catholics and I have a copy of their Catholic wedding entry.  I will definitely look into Markets and Fairs which is a likely explanation and also Barracks. (I wonder - was there Militia in those days?  Perhaps there was a parade or gathering?  I will look into this.

[jc26red]

Any fairs would have been held the other side of the river (Thames) on the Broccas field at Eton. Modern day fairs are still held there. About a 5 minute walk from River Street

[Rena]

Ps Rena, I was born and bought up in Windsor

Yes, but not in 1868?   

I was in Windsor briefly a few decades ago.  I was taking our youngest son to see his big sister "down south" and hadn't realised I would be passing through Windsor until I came upon the castle (don't ask !)  If I'd had the time I would definitely have spent a while being a sightsee-er.