What might we add to this list of possible impediments to a Georgian era marriage?

If a couple wishes to marry, the clergyman called the banns (the “time of asking”) in church for three consecutive Sundays as an opportunity for the parishioners who knew the couple best to object to the marriage if they knew of any impediments. These could range from legal concerns to social opinions. For those who suspected there may be objections raised but still wished to marry, they might opt for a Common License—if they had the funds to pay for it, of course.

Impediments may include, but certainly aren’t limited to:

• Bigamy

• Incest (parents-child, siblings, uncles/aunts-nephews/nieces)

• Brothers-and-sisters-in-law (illegal to marry deceased husband’s brother or deceased wife’s sister)

• Religious differences

• Social class differences (including employer and servant)

• Age differences

• Family opposition (esp if one party was under the age of 21 and did not have express permission from parents/guardian to marry)

• Pregnancy

• Interracial couple

• Illegitimacy

• Financial or legal concerns

• Existing betrothal to someone else

• Age below 16 (for either party)

• Seduction, coercion, and/or fraud

• Unwilling bride

A great read on marriages of the era: https://jasna.org/publications-2/persuasions-online/vol36no1/bailey