Often this love remained unrequited, but often the practice of courtly love led to risky situations between fellow knights when a wife returned his affections. While they remained, at least mostly clothed, the couple would lay in bed next to each other all night, talking and probably petting. The girls nightdress would be slip knotted at the bottom. This ritual was practiced in Holland, Scotland, England, Switzerland, Germany and some areas of France. Throughout history flowers have been used to portray a message, especially in Victorian England.
Some rituals really do endure.
In The 1700's and 1800's romantic love began to replace money, family, etc. as a motive for finding a final marriage partner. The onslaught of romantic novels, poems and literature led to a more liberated idea of what a marriage should be. Hopefully you found these little glimpses of the past interesting. If you want to say I love you the old fashioned way check out this website on the language of flowers. Used under License.