Hello Everybody In the 18C how much more expensive was it to be married by licence than by banns? Or was it not more expensive? I've assumed that licences were preferred by (a) the well to do (who didn't want the common herd to know of their business) or (b) non-conformists (who wouldn't normally attend church) or (c) where expediency was required (eg an imminent confinement). Why would an illiterate husbandman (a smallholder I believe) who doesn't fall into any of the above categories choose to be married by licence? Regards Jackie (South Wales)