The registers of Fleet Marriages are at The National Archives under reference RG 7. Mark Herber has published three volumes of transcripts titled: Clandestine Marriages in the Chapel and Rules of the Fleet, 1680-1754, Volumes 1-3 (London, 1998-99). Alan McGowan ----- Original Message ----- From: <PublicityHGS@aol.com> To: <HAMPSHIRE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, August 29, 2005 4:07 PM Subject: [Ham] Marriage Customs We have a book on worldwide marriage rituals and thought an explanation of the infamous "Fleet Marriages" may be of interest to all regardless of county interests. The Fleet in question has nothing to do with the navy but is in fact the Fleet Prison in London. Prior to Hardwickes marriage act, it was not necessary to have a 3 times reading of the banns and so clandestine marriages took place. Although there was a fine of GBP100 on clergy solemnising clandestine marriages, this was of little deterrent to a number of disreputable parsons who set up an open all hours marriage shop where for a fee, they would undertake a quick wedding ceremony without delay and without banns. The odd thing is that these weddings were legal and solemly binding. The book goes on to state "sometimes these farcical marriages were celebrated in adjacent taverns and both parsons and tavern keepers employed touts to solicit custom. If a couple appeared arm in arm, it was taken for granted they intended to marry and they were likely to be carried off by force and married.Next to the prison was a sign - marriages performed within - and the parson could be seen - a squalid profligate figure, clad in a tattered plaid nightgown and ready to couple you for a dram of gin or a roll of tobacco" Take care (especially if walking arm in arm in Fleet St) Linda & Tony