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series, who, while visiting the factory as a war correspondent, witnessed the munitions girls mixing
the nitro cotton by hand and commented ‘that is the Devil’s Porridge‘.

Gretna Green

In the middle of the 18th century English law lords approved new laws to tighten marriage
arrangements. Couples had to reach the age of 21 before they could marry without their parents’
consent and their marriage had to take place in a church.

The Law of Unintended Consequences, however, was as valid then as it is now.

Scottish law was different: you could marry on the spot, in a simple ‘marriage by declaration’, or
‘handfasting’ ceremony, requiring only two witnesses and assurances from the couple that they
were both free to marry.

With such a relaxed arrangement within reach of England it soon led to the inevitable influx of
countless thousands of young couples running away to marry over the border. Gretna Green was
the first village in Scotland and conveniently situated on the main route from London into Scotland.

With Gretna Green perfectly placed to take advantage of the differences in the two countries’
marriage laws and with an angry father-of-the-bride usually in hot pursuit, the runaway couple
could not waste time. Therefore as soon as they reached Scottish soil in Gretna Green, they would
find a place of security where they could marry at haste.

The Blacksmiths Shop, being right there at the border, very quickly became synonymous as a hot
bed of scandal and intrigue with many daughters from respectable families choosing to flee here to
“marry a scoundrel”. The ‘Anvil Priests’ would perform the ceremony for “a wee dram or a few
guineas” depending on your status and financial standing. The hammering of the anvil soon
became a notorious sound; romantically it is said that like the metals he forged, the Blacksmith
would join couples together in the heat of the moment but bind them for eternity.

From http://www.gretnagreen.com (with slight enhancements).

For information on Keswick and the Lake District click here . . .

Keswick