Marriages outside the Church of England

Posted by Linden on June 28, 1998 at 20:48:54:

Can anyone help me with the legal status of marriages outside the Church of England in the Regency period?

What did Catholics and Dissenters do to get married, and how were their marriages registered?

I know that nowadays in England, a C of E minister is automatically a registrar of marriages, while ministers of other churches are not, and have to become registrars separately (one of the things that the Establishment of the C of E means.)

Before Hardwicke's Marriage Act of 1753, there was a fair amount of chaos and uncertainty about whether or not someone was legally married: a betrothal which was consummated was automatically a marriage, without any need to go to church.

But what about the middle - the Regency period? Anyone know?

Cheers

Linden.

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REPLIES:

• This is a bit before Regency, but potentially of interest Leanne S 18:39:38 7/01/98 (1)
  • Marriages outside of C of E Leanne S 22:47:49 7/01/98 (0)
• Marriages in C of E churches The Mysterious H.C. 19:46:22 6/29/98 (3)
  • What about... Marie-Bernadette 01:02:50 6/30/98 (1)
    • Not my intended qualification... The Mysterious H.C. 03:24:08 6/30/98 (0)
  • Thank you very much for that (nfm) Linden 23:27:34 6/29/98 (0)

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