The medieval period (generally accepted as the 4th to 15th century) brought about lasting changes in the way marriages were arranged and perceived. Several rituals that rose in popularity in the Middle Ages are still in practice today-- reciting vows, exchanging rings, and hosting a celebration are customs that have not changed very much from the medieval era. Marriages were typically arranged, and the style of dress varied depending on the social class of the bride and groom. Read on to find out more about marriage ceremonies during the medieval period, and how many of our current traditions are deeply rooted in history.
History
In the medieval period, marriages were usually performed out of necessity, not love. Although lower-class couples would sometimes marry freely, those of noble birth almost never had a hand in choosing their spouse. The marriage was typically arranged by the parents of the bride and groom when the children were anywhere from twelve to seventeen years old. Men were often allowed to choose their wives, but women were very rarely able to pick their husbands. Marriages were arranged with a bride's dowry in mind, which would be given to the groom by the bride's family after the ceremony had taken place. Men were permitted to keep the dowry forever-even if the couple were later separated.
Ceremony
To announce a wedding, a notice was placed on the front door of the church. This was done to notify everyone of the upcoming ceremony and allow time for any grievances to be aired and disputed. The ceremony usually began outside of the church with the bride and groom standing beside each other and facing the front door. A priest or bishop would usually officiate the ceremony. The bride had to stand to the left of the groom (due to the belief that Eve was created out of Adam's left rib). The priest would ask the group if anyone had a reason to oppose the marriage and would then question the couple about any transgressions that might prohibit their marriage (reasons for prohibition include incest, adultery, and rape, as well as being married during a time of fasting). They would exchange vows, and the rings were placed on the fourth finger.
After the ceremony, a feast with friends and family would take place. The couple would drink wine and listen to love songs and poems performed by minstrels. The type of wedding cake that is popular today-that is, a sweetened cake decorated with icing-was not present during medieval weddings. Instead, the couple celebrated with an unsweetened wheat-based bread, the same kind that would be present at any other common gathering. There has been only one recording of a special wedding ritual involving food, and it required guests to stack buns as high as possible in front of the newlyweds. It was thought to bring prosperity if the bride and groom were able to kiss over the stack.
Dress
Instead of a white gown, medieval brides usually wore dresses in deep jewel tones. Blue was a common choice because it symbolized purity. For wealthier ladies, gowns were made of expensive, luxurious fabrics like velvet, silk, and satin, and rich hues of red and gold were popular. Lower-class brides would copy the style of noblewomen as much as possible, but their dresses were created out of inexpensive fabrics such as cotton and linen. In the 14th century, both men and women would likely wear a garment known as a cotehardie. For women, it was a long, form-fitting gown with a wide neckline and either full or elbow-length sleeves. They were usually two-toned and sometimes featured patterns like stripes and damask. The masculine version of this look was a three-quarter length tunic with wide sleeves and an open, round neckline.
The garter was another tradition originating in the medieval period. The bride's clothing was associated with good luck, and wedding guests would chase her at the end of the celebration in an attempt to grab a scrap of lucky cloth to keep for themselves. Traditionally, men who presented their lady with a bride's garter were said to have a faithful marriage.
Written By Sophie Pierce.
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FAQs
The priest would ask the group if anyone had a reason to oppose the marriage. They would exchange vows, and the rings were placed on the fourth finger. After the ceremony, a feast with friends and family would take place. The couple would drink wine and listen to love songs and poems performed by minstrels.
What were the medieval wedding vows? ›
BISHOP: Do you FAIR PRINCE/PRINCESS ____________ take unto thyself the Noble LORD/LADY ___________ to be thy rightful lord/lady Husband/Wife and pledge unto himher before God and these witnesses to honor and cherish him/her, to cleave unto him/her, in sickness and in health, in fair and in foul, be his one true and ...
What did medieval people wear to weddings? ›
The dress would be form-fitting with an open neck and three-quarter length sleeves or full sleeves. Sometimes women would also wear wreaths of flowers in their hair. Grooms wore the nicest clothing they had for Court. Clothing for grooms and brides would be made out of the best fabrics like silk.
What were the laws for medieval marriage? ›
Medieval Betrothal Law
First of all, the law required that the bride and groom reach the age of consent. At that time, girls had to be 12 years old, and boys had to be 14 years old. Secondly, the law established that a young lady enter marriage of her own accord. The law forbade anyone from forcing a woman to marry.
What age did girls get married in medieval times? ›
You could get married as soon as you hit puberty – and parental consent was not required. Marriage was the only acceptable place for sex in the medieval period, and as a result Christians were allowed to marry from puberty onwards, generally seen at the time as age 12 for women and 14 for men.
Did they kiss in medieval weddings? ›
A Medieval Wedding Mass
Over their heads, their attendants held a canopy over their heads while the priest said mass. Upon the conclusion of mass, the attendants removed the canopy. The priest then bestowed upon the groom a kiss of peace. The groom, in turn, bestowed the kiss of peace upon his bride.
What is the oldest wedding vow? ›
The oldest standard wedding vows can be traced back to the Book of Common Prayer, by Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury: "I, _____, take thee, _____, to be my wedded Husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and to ...
How did marriage work in medieval times? ›
The arrangement of marriage was done by the bride and groom's parents. In the middle ages, girls were typically in their teens when they married, and boys were in their early twenties. The arrangement of the marriage was based on monetary worth.
What are the three promises of marriage? ›
The couple could promise each other to "love and cherish" or, alternatively, the groom promises to "love, cherish, and worship", and the bride to "love, cherish, and obey".
What color did medieval brides wear? ›
Most brides wore blue, the colour of purity, piety, of the Virgin Mary. Wealthier medieval brides wore red or gold.
During the Middle Ages most European married women covered their hair rather than their face, with a variety of styles of wimple, kerchiefs and headscarves.
Did medieval people wear bras? ›
By the High Middle Ages, some women in Western Europe were using bra-like garments to support and restrain their breasts. Both Henri de Mondeville, surgeon to King Phillip the Fair of France, and Konrad Stolle, writing over a hundred years apart ( c. 1315 CE and c.
Did medieval knights marry? ›
Of course knights were allowed to marry, unless they joined one of the religious orders such as the Templars or Hospitallers, in which case they had to take a vow of celibacy, being a class of monk.
What did wives do in medieval times? ›
What kinds of jobs could women have during the Middle Ages? The vast majority of people in the Middle Ages worked the land, and women were just as active as men in agricultural activities. But we do know of women who were also writers, artists, and active as tradespeople in a family business.
What was the age of consent in the Middle Ages? ›
Age of consent laws began in England during the Middle Ages. Once girls turned 12, they were considered mature enough to consent to sex and even get married. If a man had sex with a girl who was below that age, it was rape.
How was marriage in the medieval times? ›
The arrangement of marriage was done by the bride and groom's parents. In the middle ages, girls were typically in their teens when they married, and boys were in their early twenties. The arrangement of the marriage was based on monetary worth.
Did medieval peasants marry for love? ›
Only among the lower classes did people marry consistently for reasons of love or sexual desire. In general, however, peasant marriages were not common, as there was little need for a formal exchange of property among the poor.
What was the medieval way of ending a marriage? ›
In medieval Germany, husbands and wives could fight in a marital duel in order to legally settle their disputes. Interestingly, the man had to fight in a hole with one of his arms tied behind his back.
What did medieval wives do? ›
Women oversaw household activities such as cooking, brewing, spinning, and weaving, as well as care of livestock. Following Burgundian law and Visigothic law, women might also act as land owners and managers, particularly when they were unmarried, widowed, or when their husbands were away from home.
