The missing bride

[Jill on the A272]

I've been looking at the re-marriage of the widow of someone in my tree, she married in 1898, but I've just found the banns for a previous marriage (same groom) a year earlier at a different church that never took place.



Does this mean she failed to turn up for 2 weddings, or failed to go to hear the banns read twice so the vicar wouldn't marry them? (I'm sure it wasn't compulsory to go, but it would be good manners to attend)

[Crafty Sue]

I might be wrong, but I read it as the bride didn't turn up for either of the two weddings.

[Christine in Herts]

I must say that I read it the same way as Sue: that two separate dates were set for teh wedding, but she turned up on neither occasion.

That is reinforced by the use of "neither". Banns are called on three occasions - and you are supposed to attend at least once to hear them read. You wouldn't expect "neither" to be used for three opportunities.

Christine

[Jill on the A272]

Thanks ladies, it's the first time I've come across anything like that. As I said, they tied the knot eventually but it makes me wonder what on earth was going on!

[Little Nell]

Perhaps she had cold feet?