I have since found this site which might create a basis for understanding http://www.thereformation.info/covenanters2.htm the position of the Church and the law. Janet ----- Original Message ----- From: "Janet" <[email protected]> > Goldie, I wrote the other day about if one needed a divorce at some point > in time one had to apply to the Church first for it and an Act of > Parliament would be issued, or not if the Church did not agree. In those > days the woman had to produce all the evidence in support. > It does help us if we can take a step back in time I think. I can only > explain that the Church was the law, before the Matrimonial Causes Acts of > about 1857. This may not necessarily apply in Scotland but the Kirk > Sessions did take place after Sermon which confirms the position of the > Kirk. > I will see what more I can find, but I think someone else will be able to > explain the position from their own knowledge better than I from my > knowledge of the history of law. > > Janet >