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The Common Room / Re: Having your banns read
« on: Tuesday 10 January 12 00:51 GMT (UK) »
I have ancestors in Scotland who had a 2 year gap between posting banns and marriage.
1702 marriage records 'a pledge restored'. Banns were posted 2 years earlier in 1700. The fact that the pledge was restored may indicate that they participated in 'handfasting'. This custom allowed a couple to live together for a year and a day at which time they could decide whether to part or to make a lifelong commitment. It was considered more important for the bride to be experienced and fertile than to be a virgin.
1702 marriage records 'a pledge restored'. Banns were posted 2 years earlier in 1700. The fact that the pledge was restored may indicate that they participated in 'handfasting'. This custom allowed a couple to live together for a year and a day at which time they could decide whether to part or to make a lifelong commitment. It was considered more important for the bride to be experienced and fertile than to be a virgin.