What seems to be confusing the issue of multiple marriage ceremonies versus banns, is the assumption that the ceremonies took place in church. Please keep in mind that a marriage normally took place at the bride's home, the home of one of her relatives, or in some cases, a local non-religious public meeting place. Also, a marriage "contract" was a very common occurence. Most of them stated the basics, i.e. what each party was bringing to the marriage. In the event of the death of the husband, there would be a legal record of what the wife was entitled to beyond her widow's portion. If she had brought items such as linens or livestock, she was entitled to their return or the equivalent. Such contracts were often mentioned in wills, but seldom survive on their own as they were private documents and not registered within the legal system. -- Jo-Ann Croft