I have the marriage registration(1836, Lonan) for my GGparents Danl Kermode and Eleanor Kermode wherein they were described as a bachelor & spinster respectively. Not sure about Eleanor, but Danl was a widower having lost his wife, Margt earlier.

The George Clooney marriage, with he being described as a "bachelor" but being previously divorced, prompted me to seek clarification of what constititutes a bachelor (& spinster). The definitions appear to vary widely, from the narrow one of a man never having been married previously to inclusion of a divorcee or widower.

Just wondering if in the eyes of CoE ca 1836 whether there was an accepted definition of bachelor/spinster i.e. could a bachelor include a widower in the eyes of the church?
Wayne