Minimum age for Marriage

[Martha]

What an interesting thread, however, I am more confused than ever now.
When the age on a marriage says full, does that mean they were simply over 12 or 14? I had assumed it meant the full age of consent and thought that was 21.
Also, would they have had to have both parents permission?
I was 17 when married, the minumum age is 16, but as I was under 18 the age of consent I had to have my parents permission, would this have been the same in the 18th 19th century?
Martha

[Peter Goodey]

Full age meant 21 or over (if it meant over the minimum age for marriage, you'd never see any age except 'Full' )

Someone who was under 21 but widowed didn't need anyone's permission!

[Guy Etchells]

Full age means they have reached the age of majority i.e. they have become an adult. This used to be 21 but is now 18.

Age of consent can be confusing as there are three possible terms that were contracted to age of consent.
1, Age of consent for matrimonial contracts, this was the term for consent by the parties of the marriage (the bride and groom) there was no fixed age simply the age the person could give rational consent i.e. understand what was going on.
2, Age of consent to sexual intercourse, this was set by civmessage=Full age means they have reached the age of majority i.e. they have become an adult. This used to be 21 but is now 18.

Age of consent can be confusing as there are three possible terms that were contracted to age of consent.
1, Age of consent for matrimonial contracts, this was the term for consent by the parties of the marriage (the bride and groom) there was no fixed age simply the age the person could give rational consent i.e. understand what was going on.
2, Age of consent to sexual intercourse, this was set by civil law at 16
3, Parental consent required between 1753 & 1823 for marriage of an infant i.e. a person younger than 21 unless a widow or widower. Outside this period a marriage of an infant without parental consent was legal butwanting and any property of the underaged party did not pass to the elder party.
Cheers
Guy

[Cornish Maid]

Probably too early for this particular case, but in mediaeval times it was quite usual for "marriages" to take place very young indeed, sometimes practically newborn children were betrothed. A Betrothal was a legal form of marriage, followed by a full Church marriage when both children were deemed to be of a suitable age - this suitable age was decided by the parents, or other interested parties.


Needless to say, Land or Property was always involved in these betrothals, and applied mostly to the rich: however, even a humble tenant farmer might be anxious to ally his tenancy with that of another family in order to increase his holding.

I dont find it impossible that an eleven year old girl got married, she may have not been aware of her exact age. And, don't forget, extreme poverty in a large family meant that marriage was an attractive option, probably the best that parents could do for their daughters to ensure that they would at least be fed!

[AnnB]

I thought the people who had contributed to this thread might be interested in this entry I have just found whilst transcribing the births, marriages and deaths from early copies of The North Devon Journal (although why it is in a Devon paper, I do not know, unless one of the families were local) -

22.10.1824 (date of paper) At Corsham, Wilts., George Smith, aged 15 to Honour Sumbler, aged 13 years and 9 months.

I thought I would do a bit of sleuthing, but all I have come up with is that the marriage is recorded in the IGI (as an extracted entry) with the bride's name given as Sumner. Unfortunately, with a married name of Smith, I have abandoned the idea of looking too hard for the couple, but if there is anyone out there who recognises the names.......

Best wishes
Ann