Dubious Banns

[kiterunner]

Looking through the Worksop Priory marriage register for 1754 and 1755, I came across a few entries where the banns were crammed into a few days before the marriage, and included the actual day of the wedding, such as the marriage of Thomas Fisher and Mary Keeton (both of the parish) 16th April 1754, banns read 14th, 15th and 16th April 1754. 14th April 1754 was apparently Easter Sunday.

Francis Bletcher of the parish of Blyth and Ann Robinson of Worksop married 7th May 1755, banns read 27th April, 4th May and 7th May 1755.


Also banns read 23rd, 29th and 30th June 1754 for James Bowles and Ann Simpson, "A Certificate of the said Banns was granted to Claxby in the County of Lincoln by me John Ward". FamilySearch says they got married at Claxby on the 1st July.

I wonder if the vicar got in trouble over this?

[marquette]

I guess if there were no objections, it would not matter how soon the marriage took place.

I saw one marriage which was months after the banns were called. Were there any limits on how long the banns were vaild ?

I cannot recall exactly but it must have been my Rotherhithe mob, I think.

[Uncle John]

It's not a matter of how soon, but banns were/are supposed to be read on 3 successive Sundays so that anyone who "knows any let or hindrance" can come forward.

[Olde Crone]

I should think the Vicar was a bit slow in implementing the Hardwick marriage Act, which was passed in 1754. Before that, anything went, more or less!

OC

[marquette]

St Saviour Southwark 1857

"Banns of Marriage between XX and YY both of this parish were published on the three Sundays underwritten
That is to say
Sunday 20 Sept 1857
Sunday 27 Sept 1857
Sunday 4th October 1857"

Three sets of banns per page, this page all published the same days.

The first of three couples on the page were married on 5th Oct, there is a note in the margin, and the last couple were not married until 8 Mar 1858 (this is my family one).

On the next page, banns were called on 27 Sept, 4th Oct and 11 Oct (for all three couples) and were noted as married on 18th and 21st Oct.

Then in Jan 1858, my couple had their banns called again on Jan 3rd, 10th and 17th.


Looking at further pages - there seems no hard and fast rule about how long after the banns you could marry - some married the day after the third banns call, some within a month, but others not for several months.

[JessBow]

Prior to 1983, canon law required banns to be announced, or "asked", in the home parishes of both parties on three Sundays or Holy Days of Obligation prior to the marriage.

I guess the interval btween calling and marrying is variable

[kiterunner]

But were they allowed to hold the wedding on the same day as the banns were last called, like in some of my examples?

[Olde Crone]

Yes, before 1754 they could do what they liked.

OC

[marquette]

I suppose it was like the equivalent of being asked today "is there anyone who can show cause why the marriage should not take place". If no one objected, there would be no reason the marriage could not have been held immediately, or later the same day.


Di