In the UK it was illegal to marry your dead wife's sister until 1907 when the Deceased Wife's Sister's Marriage Act was passed.
Until this time canon law had prevailed. Canon law is basically Church Law and this had taken the point of view that if a man and woman marry then the husband is related ot the wife's family and therefore any marriage would be improper.
However, the reality of many peoples lives was such that if a wife died and she had a younger sister who was unmarried (or even an older sister) then the spinster would move in and look after the children.
Obviously in the late 19th Century a man and a woman living out of wedlock gave rise to concern for many within the Community, so the law was passed in 1907 to ensure that standards could be 'maintained'. However, it was not until 1921 that the Deceased Brother's Widow's Act was passed!
Until this time canon law had prevailed. Canon law is basically Church Law and this had taken the point of view that if a man and woman marry then the husband is related ot the wife's family and therefore any marriage would be improper.
However, the reality of many peoples lives was such that if a wife died and she had a younger sister who was unmarried (or even an older sister) then the spinster would move in and look after the children.
Obviously in the late 19th Century a man and a woman living out of wedlock gave rise to concern for many within the Community, so the law was passed in 1907 to ensure that standards could be 'maintained'. However, it was not until 1921 that the Deceased Brother's Widow's Act was passed!
