Good questions for all, Tee.

The Teutonic word "ban" meant public notice of anything.  Thus, "Banns of
Matrimony" for a thousand years and more meant that an intention to marry
was being announced.  The Church of England at the time of Henry VIII,
following the Roman Catholic requirement of many centuries preceding that
time, required that plans to marry be announced before the congregation of
the church at which the marriage ceremony was to take place on 3 consecutive
Sundays before the ceremony.  That procedure provided a means - quite nearly
the only means - for anyone to raise an objection to the union or give
reasons or tell of legal impediments as to why the couple should not marry.

If no one raised an objection that was considered sufficient by the priest
to disallow the union, the marriage could take place.  That ancient
procedure is yet represented in most marriage ceremonies when the
preacher/minister/etc. asks if any "man shall raise an objection...."

That procedure is only remotely akin to the civil requirements in most
places that a license be obtained from a government (Colonial or State),
that a bond be posted in a certain sum guaranteeing that neither party is
ineligible to marry, and that after the ceremony a "return" of the license
be executed by the officiating officer, clergyman, or other public servant
authorized to perform marriages.

I have posted at my website a 1773 marriage bond in the amount of L200 - a
LOT of money - posted by Armstrong and Temple assuring Cumberland Co., PA
that Mary Gaskins and John Walker should be allowed to marry.  Copy, paste,
and take a look at:
<WebPages.charter.net/pdd50/marriage bond.jpg>

Paul



----- Original Message -----
From: To: Paul Drake
Sent: Saturday, June 11, 2005 11:04 AM
Subject: difference between "marriage bond" and "Banns"


Hey Paul cane you explain to me the whole concept of a Marriage Bann in the
1700`s?  How as it done, what were the measures taken and were their
bondman/Securities involved ?  I`d assume this was a cheaper option?
Thanks,
Teresa


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