1793 Marraige Licence age interpretation

[Stewart R]

Attached is part of a copy of a Marriage licence i have found, from which i am trying to interpret the age of the two parties. Within the red boxed section it refers to their ages, but after which it says "and upwards."

Am i to interpret this as their actual age or just their minimum age.

Regards

Stewart

[Little Nell]

I would interpret that as being 'at least 21' and 'at least 25' - but also remember that these may still be inaccurate.  No proof of the age was requested.

Nell

[AllanUK]

I agree with Nell

[LizzieL]

Remember at this time the age at which a person could marry without parent / guardian approval was 21. So if someone was recorded as "21 and upward" it may not be entirely accurate, they might be below 21 and telling a fib.

[Stewart R]

I was thinking the same thing, LizzieL, but i was puzzled that the apparent min ages were different if it was just to confirm that they were "of age"

Thanks for all your replies

Stewart