arriage licences allowed couples to marry without the calling of banns in church. An application was made to the relevant church authority and a sworn affidavit was produced, known as the allegation. This was a statement made by one of the parties, affirming that there was no known obstacle to the marriage taking place and that it met the requirements of the laws of the Church of England. If either of the couple to be married was a minor, then written consent of a parent
