Why get married in Canterbury when you live in Northbourne?

[Mehrtsgirl]

I was wondering why my 6xgreat grandparents got married at St Marys Northgate, Canterbury when they lived in Northbourne (presumably St Augustines was there then and other churches on the way to Canterbury?) Their marriage took place in 1749. Any thoughts appreciated TIA

[bearkat]

Did they marry by Banns or Licence?

It looks like they married by Licence.  This explains Marriage Licences

https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Marriage_Allegations,_Bonds_and_Licences_in_England_and_Wales

Often they obtained the Licence from Canterbury and got married at the nearest church!

(A couple I am researching were married there by Licence - 2 entries later)

[Mehrtsgirl]

bearkat that information is not in the documentation I have on their marriage. They are listed in the Tyler Index to Parish Registers which is where I saw they were both from Northbourne. Not sure if that helps or not!

[bearkat]

You can view the Marriage Licence here

http://www.rootschat.com/links/01phf/

page 26

[rosie99]

What are their names

[Marmalady]

Before even seeing Bearkats reply, I was going to suggest the marriage was by Licence.
they would have had to go to Canturbury to apply for the Licence -- and so once it was obtained, they got married asap.

I have a similar case up in Yorkshire -- also in the mid-1700s. I couldn't find a marriage for a couple living in Leeds -- but there was one for a man of the same fairly uncommon name in Ripon -- so I checked it out. And yes, they were both "of Leeds". And it took place on the same day that a Licence was granted in Ripon.

[Mehrtsgirl]

Thanks everyone and thanks bearkat for the link to the information on marriage licences. Very helpful. I was aware of banns but not clear about licences so this helps fill in some gaps. And rosie99 their names were Isaac Belsey and Susannah Payne. 

[rosie99]

FindMyPast have the marriage licence register entry but no licence image. 

It also appears on the parish register image of St Mary, Northgate listed amongst other marriages that were after 'banns' as though it did take place in Canterbury.