William Mansfield 1844

[chempat]

My point was that they did marry, as found by Rosie. Theoretically it was not a marriage, position similar to bigamy?

Now, if they did we can suppose that others did, so was anyone 'caught' and prosecuted, and what happened to the children?

[bobtonks]

Well, in the case of the Mansfields', nothing happened. I've produced family trees and census records and not found anything amiss. It was only this thread that made me aware. Presumably, William and Esther realised, hence the surname Brett for the first of their three children.
The next six children were named Mansfield.

[brigidmac]

Ive just come across an 1862 st pancras wedding where second wife has same surname as the first
They may be sisters but give different professions for father.

Also in Kent .and the same parish as first marriage so thanks to this thread I think this is the most likely scenario