Tag Archives: marriage

Planning for an average wedding

It’s the late 13th century and you’re a prosperous cooper in a mid-sized town in Flanders. Your daughter, age 17, is getting married in the spring, and you need to put on a feast for 100. You live in/above your … Continue reading

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A wedding in Italy

Weddings in medieval Italy were a little bit different. The betrothal was a much bigger deal in Italy than in Northern Europe. The bride’s family prepared a lavish feast at their home. The bride’s male relatives met the groom and … Continue reading

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With this ring, I thee wed!

The medieval wedding ceremony itself was very simple. First, the priest had to ask his legal questions. Were they both of age? (Legal marriage age varied with place and time.) Were they legally free to marry–that is, was either already … Continue reading

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Wedding on the church steps

The simplest medieval wedding was the informal private marriage, but it was not recommended. All that was truly required was that the couple must say to each other “I take you as my wife” and “I take you as my … Continue reading

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Will you marry me?

In medieval Europe, they believed in men and women choosing freely whom to marry. Among the royalty and aristocracy, since marriage was connected to property and government, marriages were basically arranged. But for the rest of medieval European society, marriages … Continue reading

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Dowries

Medieval children transitioned into adulthood with growing responsibility in their profession or with marriage. Girls (as always) married earlier, so we’ll start with marriage from the girl’s point of view. Aristocratic girls could be betrothed or married at very young … Continue reading

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