The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1905-12-16
CELEBRATED CASE
Long Disputed Marriage Be-
tween George Nv. Of England
And Lady Fttzherbert, aCatl.
Ollie, Now Established.

zled historians for the last century
has just been cleared up by the pub
LEGATION of documents that incontesti-
bly, prove that Lady Fitzherbert, a
Catholic was the lawful wife of
George w. of England, says The
\ Omaha True Voice. The story is
of more than passing interest here be-
cause of the fact that James Ord, who
is supposed to be the son of George Nv.
and Lady Fitzherbert, was years ago
a resident Of Omaha, and at his death
was buried in the old Catholic ceme-
terry at Twenty fourth and ST. Mary's
avenue His remains were afterwards
removed to Holy Sepulchre cemetery.
The main facts in the life of Lady
Fitzherbert are as follows:
Her father belonged to a younger
branch of we'll known Catholic fam
lily, the Smythes of Acton Burnell
Born in 1856, she was married when
she was only nineteen to Mr.. Edward
Weld, of Luluworth Castle. Within Il
year of her marriage she became a
widow. Three years later she married
Mr.. Thomas Fitzherbert of Swynner-
ton. At the age of twenty-five she
was again a widow-having had no
children by either union. AS a young
widow she made her appearance in
London where her beauty and winning
ways won her many admirers. Con-
temporary gossip declares that among
the offers refused was that of the hand
the fateful meeting with the Prince Of
Wales-young, handsome, and still I'M
spoiled. He strove to win her, but
there seemed insuperable difficulties
to a marriage. In the first place mar
riage with Catholic meant forfeiture
of the throne, and, as if that We're not
enough, the recently passed Royal
Marriage Act provided all sorts of pen
alties for anyone who assisted at the
wedding of a Royal Prince who, not
being twenty-five, should presume to
marry without the kings consent To
get rid of the princes opportunities
Mrs. Fitzherbert fled the country, but
perhaps because there was a traitor in
her own heart, after a time she re-
turned to England.
Then came the marriage. 1t was a
secret one. The marriage took place
cember, 1885. 1t was soemniZed by 4
clergyman of the Church of England,
in the presence of two witnesses her
uncle, Mrs. Henry Errington, and her
brother, Mr.. Smythe. The marriage
certificate was signed by the contract
ing parties, and the two witnesses,
and committed to the keeping of the
bride. 1t is to the credit of the prince
that he gave into the hands of another
the evidence which might have, at amy
moment, robbed him of his claim to
the throne of England. He knew the
woman he was trusting. and she on
her side was faithful to her word
and provocations of the later years,
The conduct of Mrs l'itzherbert III
entering upon this union requires
some explanation. The London Tablet
says:
"She had made a secret marriage:
she was married by II Protestant cler-
gyman; and she knew that in the eyes
Of the law the marriage was invalid
First as to secrecy. She knew that by
the law of God and the Catholic
church she was now the wife of the
Prince of Wales. That being so, whe-
Their the public knew or did not know
was q small matter. There We're real
sons enough to justify secrecy. nc
proclaim her marriage would have
been to rob her husband of his in
heritance and to expose her nearest
relatives to grievous penalties. Bu
why did she not insist on being mar
ried by Catholic priest? That Gues-
ton comes naturally to us today-i
in 1885. There We're rregularitic.
enough about Mrs. I'itzherbert's mar.
riage; she could have no wish to Sc
out of her way to add to them. A
that time all marriages. even whel
contracted between Catholics, re-
quired the presence of an Anglican
clergyman for their legal validity. NJ
doubt Mrs. FitZherbert had been 81
married twice before, and on this oc
casion least OF all could she wish t,
challenge the settled law and custom
of the country without necessity. Blu
she knew that under the Royal Mar
riages Act the union was invalid? Ger
tainly she did Bat Catholics in thos
days of the reral laws could not at
ford to think very much about illegal
ity when their religion was concerned
Mrs. Fitzherbert knew that her mar
. rage would be regarded as illegal, blu
then so was her religion. Before tn
Relief Act of 1871 it was illegal no
to attend the Protestant church, an,
1t was illegal to hear Mass or to TAX
part in airy Catholic service. Whe
everything sic regarded as most hol