Whilst Guy is quite correct in his explanation of what this document is, and the reason for the £200 bond, he is mistaken in saying: >>The date (25 March 1754) would be the date the licence was granted i.e. the date from which the couple could marry.<< The date has nothing to do with this couple - it was the date when Hardwicke's Marriage Act came into force, the law under which the documentation was issued and enforced. And before that date a pre-contract was equally binding as an actual marriage ceremony, although not afterwards, so hence the meaning of the term quoted. In fact a licence was normally only valid for a specific date, given on it, as it seems that you have, or a fairly short term afterwards (also specified). HTH Polly

Yes of course it is that'll teach to reply when I am rushing out. Cheers Guy Polly Rubery wrote: > Whilst Guy is quite correct in his explanation of what this document is, and > the reason for the £200 bond, he is mistaken in saying: > > >>>The date (25 March 1754) would be the date the licence was granted i.e. > > the date from which the couple could marry.<< > > The date has nothing to do with this couple - it was the date when > Hardwicke's Marriage Act came into force, the law under which the > documentation was issued and enforced. And before that date a pre-contract > was equally binding as an actual marriage ceremony, although not afterwards, > so hence the meaning of the term quoted. > > In fact a licence was normally only valid for a specific date, given on it, > as it seems that you have, or a fairly short term afterwards (also > specified). > HTH > Polly > > > > ==== OLD-ENGLISH Mailing List ==== > OLD-ENGLISH Web Page > http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~oel/ > > -- Wakefield, England http://freespace.virgin.net/guy.etchells The site that gives you facts not promises! I use CDs produced by Archive CD Books to assist fellow researchers http://www.archivecdbooks.org http://www.framland.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/ Worldwide Cemetery Links, Monumental Inscriptions, War Graves, etc.