The problem of clandestine (sometimes known as Fleet) marriages was resolved by the "Act for the better preventing of clandestine Marriages" more than two decades before Jane Austen was born. However, the results of its resolution can be seen in…
In 1753 "An Act for the better preventing of clandestine Marriages" set forth the rules for being married by the reading of the banns or by a common license, including the method of procuring either of these licenses. Most of…
In Jane Austen's day there were three types of marriage licenses available in England; the reading of the banns, a common license, and a special license. The reading of the banns had the advantage of being free and consisted of…