"Of full age" on marriage certificate.

[sigma]

I have a C19th marriage certificate that states "Of full age". What is the minimum age it could be.

[dotty.]

21

[dotty.]

usually used by people re-marrying

[dotty.]

sometimes used by people who perhaps needing parental consent but wanted to lie about their age.

[sigma]

Thanks dotty, that last answer has really thrown a spanner in the works.A search for the bride on the IGI gave a result of her being only 16 so I sent for the marriage certificate to confirm it but the marriage certificate came back as "Of full age".It looks now from your answer that she could have been 16 so I'll have to look at the census's to see if that can resolve the problem.

[dotty.]

sigma I have three instances where the bride was under 21 and would have needed parental consent, if for some reason the bride was marrying under 21 and unable to do so without the permission of her parent or guardian, it was possible they simply gave a wrong age, in large cities it was easy to get away with that, it was sometimes easier in rural communities to go toa neighbouring parish, which is what 2 brothers on my tree did, but 5 years apart, they lied about their address, their father's occupation and the brides were both 19. some parishes would marry anyone for a larger fee!