Where would I find, which County?

[stanmapstone]

Stan,
Fascinating info on marriage by licence. Can you spell it out for me in plain language as I would love to understand what it means and why anyone would need to marry by licence anyway? Have often wanted to ask the question but afraid of appearing dim.
Thanks,
Josie.

Marriages in England and Wales could be by:
1)   Banns
2)   Surrogate’s or Common Licence
3)   Special Licence
4)   Superintendent Registrar’s Certificate
5)   Superintendent Registrar’s Licence

Under (1) (2) and (3) marriages may be solemnized by a Clergyman of the Established Church of England in a licensed Church or Chapel of the Church of England, or, if by Special Licence, in any place and at any time.
Under (4) they may, as in cases (1) and (2), be solemnized by a Clergyman of the Established Church of England subject to his being willing to accept the Certificate in lieu of Banns; and under (4) and (5) by or before a Registrar of Marriages in a building of Roman Catholic or other denomination duly registered by the Registrar-General; before a Registrar of Marriages and a Superintendent Registrar in the District Register Office; or after the 1898 Act .(Marriage; Nonconformist Places of Worship),  before a person duly authorised under the Act. Under this Act Roman Catholics and Nonconformists were not required to have a civil Registrar present.



Stan

[stanmapstone]

A Licence was popular because it had the advantage of relative speed and secrecy, and facilitated a marriage in Lent when banns should not have been called. It was also favoured by those with rude surnames in order to avoid titters when the banns were read out. 

For instance the marriage of Thomas Titty to Pleasant Grant in Margate on 17th November 1754 (Family Tree Magazine)


Stan

[JayG]

A Licence was popular because it had the advantage of relative speed and secrecy, and facilitated a marriage in Lent when banns should not have been called. It was also favoured by those with rude surnames in order to avoid titters when the banns were read out. 

For instance the marriage of Thomas Titty to Pleasant Grant in Margate on 17th November 1754 (Family Tree Magazine)


Stan

haha never heard about the rude names Stan, will have to check in my files! 

I hope no one thinks i'm researching rude surnames   

Jay

[josephinemary]

Thank you for the info. Begining to understand more.

[stanmapstone]

Thank you for the info. Begining to understand more.

Fictitious examples of a Bond and Allegation. After 1823 bonds ceased to be necessary, but an allegation continues to be required from the party obtaining the licence, and is filed in the registry.

a. bond
Know all men by these presents that we Rivers Taylor sen. of  Histon and William Taylor of Landbeach yeomen are holden and firmly bound to the wor¬shipful Wharton Peck. . . chancellor. . . Ely in the sum of£200. . .19 March 1765. The condition of this obligation is such that hereafter there shall not appear any lawful let or impediment by reason of any pre-contract entered into before the 25 March 1754 consanguinity or cause whatsoever but that Rivers Taylor junior of Histon aforesaid and Frances Peck of the same parish a spinster may lawfully solemnize marriage together and in the same afterwards lawfully remain.


b. allegation or affidavit
The 19th day of March 1765 on which day appeared personally Rivers Taylor jun. . . . Histon in which said parish he hath had his usual abode for the space of four weeks last past and made oath that he is of the age of nineteen years and upwards and a bachelor and intends to marry with Frances Peck aged 21 years and upwards not knowing or believing any lawful let or impediment by reason of precontract consanguinity affinity or any other cause that the said marriage shall be solemnized in no other parish church than that of Riston and Rivers Taylor sen. appeared and made oath that he is the natural and lawful father of the said R.T. jun. and that he is consenting to the said marriage.
The said RT. and R.T. signed the above affidavit and were sworn to the truth thereof at Riston the 19th day of March 1765 before me Roberts Masters surrogate.

Stan

[Graham Whitehead]

Stan,
Fascinating info on marriage by licence. Can you spell it out for me in plain language as I would love to understand what it means and why anyone would need to marry by licence anyway? Have often wanted to ask the question but afraid of appearing dim.
Thanks,
Josie.

Think marriage by licence also had connotations with status among farming families.  My ancestors were farmers and in 19th century almost all married by licence.  The  better off preferred to dispense with having Banns called in Church for three Sundays as they still are in the Established church.

[stanmapstone]

As a marriage could take place within hours of obtaining the licence it was convenient for a busy spouse, during times of war, or in anticipation of an imminent birth.   

Stan

[josephinemary]

Stan,
Youe are so knowledgable on marriage terminology. Don't stop now.
Please explain  !!!!!!!!

Archdeacons courts peculiar courts etc.Bishops trancript.s
Any others that you can think of as I am making a list for my own reference. Anyone else enjoying this please let Stan know that you appreciate his help.
Josie.

[Maggie1895]

I'd like to second that.  I'm following the thread and learning a lot, all of it extremely interesting.  Thanks Stan!