Did you need a priest to be married in Tudor England? A church? Witnesses? The truth might surprise you. In the 16th century, a simple exchange of vows—followed by consummation—could be enough to make a marriage fully legal.

 

In this video, we explore the fascinating (and often confusing) rules around marriage in Tudor times. From secret unions to royal annulments, handfasting to public ceremonies, find out how couples—rich and poor—sealed their unions, and how these customs led to scandal, bigamy, and disputed inheritances.

 

Discover what counted, what didn’t, and how Henry VIII used these rules to his advantage.

 

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