ANCIENT ANGLO-SAXON MARRIAGE CEREMONIES.

Grey River Argus, Volume VIII, Issue 592, 2 November 1869, Page 4

ANCIENT ANGLO-SAXON MARRIAGE CEREMONIES.

♦ By the Anglo-Saxons the bond of matrimony was held to be most sacred. No man could lawfully marry without first obtaining the consent of the woman's Mundbora, or guardian, who was her father if living, and if not some other near relation. If such consent was not obtained, the husband was liable to penalties, and he acquired no legal rights over either the wife or her goods. For this consent the lover always paid a mede or price, in the nature of a present, according to the rank of the lady. It was, therefore, advantageous to a father that the " spindle side," or female part of his family, to use Alfred's term, should outnumber the "spear-side," or male members thereof. The parties were solemnly contracted, and a friend of the bridegroom became surety for the woman's good treatment and maintenance. Her dowry was fixed ; and all the relations of both parties within the third degree were invited to the marriage feast. Each one made some present to the couple ; and the -Mundbora gave them arms, furniture, cattle, and money. This was called the faderfrum, or father's gift, and was all the fortune that the bridegroom received. On the day before the wedding, which generally took place within six or eight weeks from the time of the contract, the invited friends of the bridegroom went to his houee, where they spent the day in feasting. On the next morning they went armed and on horseback to the house of the bride, under the conduct of the foremost man, to receive her, a;id conduct her to her husband. The martial show was both for compliment andto.prtfvent a rescue by any former lover. The bride was led by a matron, called the brideswoman ; followed by many young women termed the bridesmaids, and attended by her Mundbora and other male relations. On her arrival she was received by the bridegroom, and solemnly betrothed by her guardian. The united companies tiien went to the church, attended by musicians. No. marriage was lawful without the presence of 'the- Mundbora at the ceremony, and hie gave the bride to the bridegroom, saying, " 1 give her to thee to be tliy honor and thy wife ; to keep thy keys and share with thee in thy bed and goods. " The parties received the nuptial benediction from the priest sometimes under a veil or square piece of cloth called the care cloth, held at each corner by a man, to conceal the bride's blushes ; but this was not used in cases where the bride was a widow. After the benediction both of the parties were crowned with flowers which were kept in the church for the purpose. A ring was used at the marriage as well as at the bitrothal. Some authors say that at the marriages of the AngloSaxons the Mundbora presented the bridegroom with one of the bride's shoes, as a token of the transfer of authority ; I arid she was made to.feel the change by a blow on her head giveu with the shoe. The husband was bound by oath to use his wile well, on failure of which she might leave him ; "but he was allowed to bestow a moderate castigation upon her. After the marriage ceremony all the com--pany returned to the:bridegroom's house, where was held ttife, wedding feast. At night the bride was conducted to her chamber ; and put to bed by the women, and the bridegroom was in like manner attended by the men. The couple both being in bed, their healths were drunk in their presence by all the company. On the next morning, when the bridegroom rose, he gave his bride a morgengabe, or rnorning gift, which bt)oajn<£ her separate

property, and was the ancient pin-money. All the company came to the chamber before the couple rose, to hear this gift declared, after which they feasted again for several days, until the provisions were consumed, and then, having made presents to the husband, they departed. The wedding dresses of the bride and three of her maidens, and of the bridegroom and his attendants, were of a peculiar fashion and color, and might not be worn on any other occasion. These dresses were at first the perquisites of the musicians who attended the marriage, but in later times they were given to some church or abbey.— " The- Wedding Day in all Ages and Countries."