Related question -- is there any surviving record of marriages that did not have a bond? If so, where would you start to look? Elaine Oakes > There would be small fees involved in having the bond filled out and filed, the same as today. It is just that the 500 pounds of the bond was not paid. That, as you stated, was just security to guarantee there were no legal impediments to the marriage. > > Bonds would be more expensive than banns, because of the charge in having the bond filled out. They were also quicker, with most marriages occurring within a few days of the bond.