| 单词 | Gretna Green |
| 释义 | Gretna Green|ˈgrɛtnə ˈgriːn|
The name of a village in Dumfriesshire just across the Border, used attrib. in reference to the custom by which runaway couples from England have been married there according to Scots law, without the parental consent required in England for those who have not attained their majority. Also ellipt. as Gretna.
Such marriages first became common after Lord Hardwicke's Act of 1753, prior to which it was possible to contract a valid marriage in England clandestinely. Since then lack of parental consent, while not invalidating an English marriage, has meant that it is virtually impossible to get the ceremony performed. The convenience for elopers of a Scottish marriage has been reduced by successive Acts of Parliament, notably by the Marriage (Scotland) Act of 1939, prior to which a valid marriage could be contracted in Scotland merely by a declaration of consent by the two parties before a witness (traditionally the village blacksmith).
[1791C. Stuart Gretna Green ii. 19 Never think of dying a maid, for that would be setting a bad example, and Gretna Green might then go a begging.] 1813[see blacksmith]. 1823Galt Entail III. x. 95 Whomsoever ye hear giving me the wyte o' ony sic Gretna Green job, I redde ye put your foot on the spark, and not let it singe my character. 1852Househ. Words V. 199/2 It was my impression Gretna marriages were quite matters of the past. Ibid. 201/1 Old Colthard..was the first regular Gretna Green parson. 1863Chambers's Encycl. V. 106/2 The Gretna Green marriages may yet be resorted to by English parties, provided the intended husband comply with this requisite [sc. 21 days' residence in Scotland]. 1904Daily Chron. 17 Feb. 7/1 Caroline, Marchioness of Queensberry..was the heroine of a genuine Gretna Green marriage. Ibid., The period of the Gretna Green weddings..extended over almost exactly a century. 1959Chambers's Encycl. VI. 590/2 Gretna marriages still attracted the sentimental until the Scottish irregular marriage..was abolished in 1939. 1968D. J. Steel et al. Nat. Index Parish Registers I. 317 Information on the history of Gretna marriages. |
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