19th Century marriage between 1st cousins, was it legal back then?

Question: 19th Century marriage between 1st cousins, was it legal back then!?

My friends great great grandparent's were married in 1866, they were 1st cousins, sharing the same grand parents, was this legal!?
I know the Church used to be very strict about who you could marry, but am not sure about cousins!.
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Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

UK answer!.
Yes they could marry legally!. I thought these two websites may be of use to you, they are fascinating !
http://www!.genetic-genealogy!.co!.uk/Toc11!.!.!.
http://www!.weddings!.co!.uk/info/legproh!.h!.!.!.
Hope this helps!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Extract from the following link

Marriage of Cousins
Despite the long list of degrees of forbidden relationship, you can marry a cousin (courtesy of Henry VIII who changed the law to marry his cousin!)!. However, it would be sensible for you both to consult your GP to ensure that there are no factors in your family's health records that would make your decision to have children inadvisable on medical grounds

http://www!.weddingguideuk!.com/articles/l!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Yeah, it has allways been leagle to marry your cousin!. It still is! nothing wrong with it at all in the eyes of the law! might be wrong in the eyes of your grandparents though (well probably not your grand parents, but there we go!)Www@QuestionHome@Com

It was common in the upper class, they called it "good breeding"
Good God Carruthers! !ts those drums, those demned drums, they drive a man mad I tell you!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!. I haven't seen a white woman for years here up the Limpopo!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

UK Answer Marriage not only was but still is legal in the UK, It's not uncommon to find 1st Cousins marring, not a good idea if you want children!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

The Roman Catholic Church did not permit marriage of first cousins, but practically all other churches did!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

Ewwwwwww!.!.!. First cousins should never marry!.

But it is allowed in every religion!.
And through out time there were people who have done that!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

It is still legal today even though frowned upon!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Probably ok !!!! Then !!!!Www@QuestionHome@Com

Absolutely legal Then and now!.!.!.!. But interbreeding is not a good idea !. Www@QuestionHome@Com

yes it was legal and for the rich and royals the norm!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

yh it was legal!.!.!.but it's wrong!.!.!.i mean you wouldn't wonna have kids would you :SWww@QuestionHome@Com