Re: Marriage to deceased wife's sister

"Marriage with deceased wife's sister. A bill to this effect was brought in
almost every year and passed by the House of Commons and thrown out by the
House of Lords. It was the stock subject for difference of opinion. But the
Act was finally passed and came into force 1 January, 1950. "

This comes from the Gilbert & Sulivan Archive. WS Gilbert had, of course,
put the solution to this thorny problem as one of the wonders that Strephon
would perform as an MP. (Others included making Dukedoms available by
competitive examination, giving Peerages to "common Councilmen", making the
House sit through the grouse & salmon seasons, ending "the cherished rights
that you enjoy on Friday nights" (don't understand that one). Gilbert's
political satire often sheds interesting light on the concerns of the time.

"That annual blister' referred to the prohibition in Britain at that time on
marriage with a deceased wife's sister, a problem which rose to a climax
during the late nineteenth century, so much so that there were annual
editorials in The Times, pointing out the illogicality of such a law, and
numerous private members' bills were introduced in Parliament to remove the
impediment. However, the House of Lords (lampooned throughout) resisted any
reform of the marriage laws for decades. It is a matter of some surprise
that Charles Joseph La Trobe was caused considerable concern and suffering
by this draconian law."

The above comes from the website of the La Trobe Journal (it seems that
Charles La trobe was one who married his sister in law.

Lesley Robertson






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