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The banns for the marriage of Albert Herbert William Proctor and Julia Ann Coulson were read on the 6th, 13th and 20th October 1908, which were 3 consecutive Tuesdays. According to Lord Hardwick's Act (Marriage Act 1753) banns were meant to be read on Sundays. Were Sundays a strict requirement, or did the banns only need to be read during a service, which could happen on other days of the week?

PolyGeo
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Sue Adams
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1 Answers1

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A rapid scan of Marriage Law for Genealogists the definitive guide by Rebecca Probert (Probert, Rebecca Marriage Law for Genealogists the definitive guide. Kenilworth: Takeaway (Publishing), 2009.) suggests that although Banns were supposed to be read on Sundays, the marriage would still be valid -- i.e. 'Sunday Banns' are a directory requirement, not a mandatory one. Failure to comply with a mandatory requirement renders the marriage void, whereas directory requirements are desirable but not fundamental.

I thoroughly recommend the Probert book for the nitty-gritty of English and Welsh marriage laws and reality from 1600 on.