England, Durham Diocese, Calendar of Marriage Bonds and Allegations - FamilySearch Historical Records: Difference between revisions

*Thornton-le-Street

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A marriage allegation is a sworn statement filed often by the marriage participants in connection with their license application. It is a statement that there is no known reason that the marriage should not take place. Marriage licenses could be granted by the Archbishop of Canterbury, bishops, and archdeacons or their surrogates within their respective jurisdictions. The original allegations and bonds were held by the various church officials. Most were later transferred to county record offices. Many of the records are now published by the respective dioceses. The majority of English people would have been married by banns, not by license, and so would not have a marriage allegation. However, from the early 16th century those able to pay the fee could avoid the reading of public banns and obtain a license, since many families did not like the thought of public objection to their intended marriage. Dissenters (other faiths) were obliged to marry in the Church of England and obtain a license to marry.