Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1869-08-27
Ancient AnglO-SaXOa Marriage
Ceremonies.

BY the Anglo-Saxons the bond of matri-
mony was held to be most sacred. No
man could lawfully marry without first OBJ
tanning the consent of the wOman's
mundbora, or guardian, who was
her father, if living, and if not,
some other near relation. Ii 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 q
present, according to the rank of the lady.
It was therefore advantageous to q 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 SOL
emnly 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, werein-
vited to the marriage feast. Each one made
some present to the couple; and the mund-
bora gave them arms, furniture, cattle and
money. This was called the faderfrum, or
fathers gift, and was all the fortune that
the bridegroom received. On the day be-
fore 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 house,
where they spent the day in
feasting On the next morn
ing they went armed and on horseback to
tho house of the bride, under the conduct
of the foremost man, to receive her, and
conduct to her husband. This martial
show was both for compliment and to pre-
vent a rescue By any former lover. The
britt JUIC ID a Pal I1
brideswomen, followed by many young
women, termed the bridesmaids, aud at
tended by her mundbora and other male
relations. On her arrival she was received
by the bridegroom, and sOlemnly betrOth-
Ell by her guardian. The united com
panlons then proceeded to the chnrch, at
tended by musicians. No marrinGa was
lawful without the presence Of the mnnd-
bora at the ceremony, and he gave the
bride to the bridegroom, saying: - give
her to thee to be thy honor and thy wife );
to keep thy keys and share with thee in
thy be- and goods. The parties received
the nuptial benediction from the priest,
sometimes under q veil Or square piece of
cloth, called the carecloth, held at each
corner by a man to conceal the brides
blnshes; but this was not used when the
bride was widow. After the benedction
both of the parties were crowned with
powers, which were kept in the church for
the purpose. ring was used at the mar
ria2e as we'll as at the betrothal. Some
authors say that at the marriages of the
Anglo Saxon the mnndbora presented the
bridegroom with one of the brides
shoes, token Of the transfer of
authority; and she was made to
feel the change by a blow on her head
given with the shoe. The husband was
bound by oath to use his wife well. on fail
ure Of which she might leave him; but he
was allowed to bestow a moderate castiga-
ton upon her. After the marriage cere-
mony all the company returned to the
bridegroom's house, where was held the
wedding feast, At night the bride was