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Archiver > ENG-HERTFORDSHIRE > 2007-03 > 1174260758


From: "Roy Stockdill" <>
Subject: Re: [HRT] Marriage of First Cousins.
Date: Sun, 18 Mar 2007 23:32:38 -0000
In-Reply-To: <001701c769a9$78d234e0$5d921456@Donald>


From: "Donald Massey" <>

> I realise that marriage of first cousins has long been banned by most
> if not all Christian Churches, but in the 1860-1870s was it also a
> criminal offence in England: if so, what sort of punishment was
> usually imposed?
>
> Donald Massey>

Where on earth did you get that piece of information from - the Dandy or
the Beano?

First cousin marriages have been permitted by the church since the reign
of Elizabeth I and marriage between first cousins has never been a
criminal offence in common law in England, as far as I am aware, and
certainly not in the 1860s-70s. The laws of consanguinity (forbidden
relationships) are complex and have changed many times over the
centuries but a spot of Googling will bring you up to date quite simply.

Royalty has indulged in the practice more than once, especially William
III of Orange and his wife Mary II (both being grandchildren of Charles I)
and George IV married his first cousin Caroline of Brunswick, both being
grandchildren of Frederick Prince of Wales, father of George III.

Oh yes - and Queen Victoria also married her first cousin, Prince Albert,
since they shared a grandfather.

--
Roy Stockdill
Guild of One-Name Studies: www.one-name.org
Newbies' Guide to Genealogy & Family History:
www.genuki.org.uk/gs/Newbie.html

"There is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about,
and that is not being talked about."
OSCAR WILDE



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