1656 marriage record

[kath davis]

This marriage record, in Fangfoss Parish Register puzzled me initially as it was so beautifully and extensively written.  All the other entries, written in the same hand were simple “xx and yy were married”, with the date.
On second reading I am now mystified by the “in the Parlour of” (his father).  Was this normal, why should it be so?  Any thoughts please.

Kath

[arthurk]

The clue is in the date: 1656 fell within the Commonwealth period, when marriage was a civil affair in which the church played no part. Instead, couples married before a magistrate.

In many (most?) places, records of Commonwealth ceremonies haven't survived, but sometimes you come across entries that have been added fairly haphazardly and very belatedly after the Restoration. And in a few places, as seems to be the case here, they were written in the parish register as they occurred.

[kath davis]

Many thanks, that is both very helpful and interesting.  History was never my strong point, and until recently we haven't easily been able to go back so far.  I will read up on the subject.

Kath