Gretna Anvil Priests
Gretna Green's "anvil priests" were a colorful set of characters who setup shop in hostelries and Coaching inns in the village following the marriage act of 1754 and made their living from the marriage trade. To perform a marriage, the anvil priest simply asked the couple to plight their troth in front of two witnesses, and, quick as the bang of a hammer on an anvil, their word was law.
word came that the angry father was fast approaching Gretna Green and there was a risk of the marriage being interrupted, the anvil priest - so the story goes - told the lovers to nip into bed. When the pursuer arrived, he was shown to the bedroom. On seeing the couple in the bed, he assumed he was too late, as the marriage was well on the way to being consummated.
Other Venues
[ Original Marriage Room ] [ Rennison Room ] [ Smiths Marriage Hall ] [ Smiths Penthouse Balcony ] |
