GRETNA GREEN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 May 1938, Page 9

GRETNA GREEN

MECCA OF THWARTED LOVERS. ROMANCES OF FORMER DAYS. Recently the cables made reference to a young English couple having been married “over the anvil” at Gretna Green by the vilage "priest,” David B. Mackintosh. The ceremony had all the elements of old-time romance, the bride —a ward in Chancery—being only eighteen, and the .bride’s uncle —true to tradition—arriving after a hurried journey from Manchester, just “in time to be too late.” The only departure from old-time custom was the fact that the bride had been hiding in Gretna to comply with Scottish law, which in 1856 made residence in Scotland for 21 days necessary for one of the parties. The parish of Gretna —or Graitney, as it was called long ago—lies in the County of Dumfries, close to the borders of Scotland, and England. Indeed, the village is the first Scottish point on the borders of Northern England. The river Sark divides the countries. The district between the rivers Esk and Sark was called “The Debatable Land” —a region specially noted by ancient historians and the scene of many a bloody strife when the borderers could not agree. As the land at that time was nothing but a swamp, it was scarcely worth debating about. A peat bog in Scotland is called a “moss,” or “peat moss,” and this one went by the name of “Solway Moss.” The villagers used the peat for fuel. Round-Table Knight.

The first nuptials of any note to be recorded at Gretna Green were those of the famous Round Table Knight, Sir Gawaine. The marriage may not have been celebrated on the site of the present renowned marrying establishment, but it is the first to be mentioned as having taken place nearby. The first recognised agent in Gretna Green marriages was Joseph Paisley, a tobacconist, although before him the principal functionary was a fisherman who fished the waters of the Solway Firth.

Joseph Paisley was often called in the middle of the night, and the story is told that two couples sought his services at the same time in a great hurry. With all speed Joseph complied, but being addicted to the bottle he must have been a bit muddled, for it was found afterwards that the wrong brides and bridegrooms had been united. He was not at all perturbed, however, and remarked quite unconcernedly, “Aweel, jist sort yersels.” Paisley was succeeded by a Northumbrian farmer, Robert Eliot, who disclosed the fact that between 1811 and 1839 he had married 3872 couples. A Business. Simon Beattie, who was collector of tolls at the tollgate beyond the bridge which leads to Gretna, besides being a vendor of ale, porter and spirituous liquors, carried on the business of marrying, and others, notably the innkeepers of Carlisle and Gretna, also plied this interesting trade, the former sending customers to the latter, and the latter sharing with the former the rich proceeds, thus reciprocally conducting a flourishing business. David Laing, another of the “priests,” earned his living entirely by marrying, and his son, Simon, who succeeded him, was a weaver by trade. Famous Trial. In 1826 a marriage took place which roused the whole country; indeed, it was the cause of a famous trial. This was the marriage of Edward Gibbon Wakefield with Miss Ellen Turner, a wealthy heiress of fifteen, whom he had abducted from her school in Liverpool by means of a forged letter. The marriage was annulled some years later. One of the earliest marriages on record at Gretna was marked by a great storm, which upset the boat on which the young couple had been crossing the Solway from Cumberland. One of their pursuers was drowned, and the rest turned back, but the pair landed safely and proceeded to Gretna. Another famous runaway romance was that of the tenth Earl of Westmoreland and Miss Child, the rich banker's daughter. Gretna Hall, or "The Hall,” was erected on the great thoroughfare for the convenience of travellers and elopers from England, and here it was that the notable Carlo Ferdinando Bourbon, Prince of Capua, and his beautiful bride. Miss Penelope Smith, were united, after being married at Lucca. They must have distrusted the legality of

both marriages, however, for they were afterwards married at St. George's, Hanover Square. Mr Sheridan and Miss Grant were also married at "the Hall.” The marrying business must have been a profitable one, for the fees in some instances were thirty guineas. The fees, however, varied according to the ardour of the bridegroom’s sentiment. and sometimes according to the state of his finances. On one occasion the “parson" received a tumblerful of guineas, and the post-boys a wineglassful each; twopence halfpenny was considered by one bridegroom as sufficient payment, but the fees varied from half a crown to a hundred guineas. During the Great War the village of Gretna was used as a munitions centre. Today the tollhouse —the first building in Scotland —has a hoarding in the garden which says: "This is the house famous for Gretna Runaway Marriages.” and over the door is the announcement: “10,000 marriages performed in this marriage room." A bill is being prepared by Scottish law officers, supported by the Church of Scotland, which declares these marriages illegal. The bill, if carried, will close another chapter in the romance of Scottish history.