A late 19th century view of the Smithy in Gretna Green in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. It was in 1754, that runaway couples, seeking marriage outside of the restrictions of England and Wales, began converging on Gretna Green; the first stop in Scotland where the law allowed for "irregular marriages", meaning that if a declaration was made before two witnesses, almost anybody had the authority to conduct the marriage ceremony. Young couples would be met at the crossroads, beside the Famous Blacksmiths Shop by the local blacksmith who conducted marriage ceremonies
A late 19th century view of the Smithy in Gretna Green in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. It was in 1754, that runaway couples, seeking marriage outside of the restrictions of England and Wales, began converging on Gretna Green; the first stop in Scotland where the law allowed for "irregular marriages", meaning that if a declaration was made before two witnesses, almost anybody had the authority to conduct the marriage ceremony. Young couples would be met at the crossroads, beside the Famous Blacksmiths Shop by the "anvil priest" aka ‘Blacksmiths Priest’ - the local blacksmith who conducted marriage ceremonies over the now world-famous marriage anvil in his small shop, with the Blacksmiths' wife and sympathetic locals standing as witnesses.
Size: 4413px × 3222px
Location: Gretna Green in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland.
Photo credit: © De Luan / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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