Marriage Licence

[solva]

My ancestors were married my license, where can I find information regarding licenses, the couple where married inSt John the Baptist, Yeovil.
Ann

[stanmapstone]

The marriage was by licence, therefore it was either a Common Licence or a Special Licence.

Common/Ordinary Licence - This could be obtained from any bishop or archbishop, Chancellor or Surrogate, and meant the Banns need not be read - and so there was not the delay of two weeks. A sworn statement was given that there was no impediment [parties were not related to one another in the prohibited degrees, proof of deceased spouse given]. The marriage was required to take place in church or chapel where one party has already lived for 4 weeks. It was also good for 3 months from date of issue.

Special Licence - Obtained from Doctors Commons in London, from the Archbishop of Canterbury or his representative. The difference between this and the Ordinary licence was that it granted the right of the couple to marry at any convenient time or place. All other requirements were the same. Names of both parties were given at the time of the application.

Stan

[stanmapstone]

A visit to the clergyman issuing the licence resulted in three documents, an allegation or affidavit, a marriage bond and the licence. The actual licence was issued to the bridegroom who presented it to the priest conducting the marriage. The licence could then have been kept by the priest, or returned to the diocesan registries, or given to the couple on their wedding day and kept within the family, but usually does not survive. The allegation and bond would be filed in the Diocesan Registry. After 1823 bonds ceased to be necessary.

Stan

[solva]

Thank you very much for replying, really grateful. Is it possible to get a copy of the allegation from the Diocesan Registry?
Regards
Ann

[stanmapstone]

The Diocesan Registry is held at the Somerset Archives, Taunton, http://www1.somerset.gov.uk/archives/ look under Research Guides for   Diocese of Bath and Wells records           
Under Contact     there are the address, telephone number and email. You could see if they have the allegation.
 Their Charges are;
Standard Rate: £25 sterling per hour including VAT and postage (UK), or postage (overseas). Minimum Charge £7.00. Payment is required in advance.

Stan