Rhiannon Hendricks
During the Elizabethan era, a betrothal was a promise or contract for a future marriage, similar to today's engagement. A man would give a woman a ring to be worn on her right hand, only moving it to the left hand when they were married. This ring symbolised a woman's willingness to marry, and the transfer of her hand in marriage to her husband. The betrothed couple would seal their contract with a kiss and signatures.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nature of betrothal | Mutual promise or contract for a future marriage |
| Who gives the ring | Man gives the woman a ring to be worn on the right hand |
| Ring placement | Ring finger of the left hand |
| Belief about ring finger | Women have a vein in that finger that leads directly to the heart |
| Contract | Includes provision for the bride's dowry and a settlement in cash and property by the husband's family |
| Contract cancellation | Mutual consent, religious differences, multiple marriages, drunkenness, long periods of separation |
| Age of consent | 21 |
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What You'll Learn
- Betrothal: a mutual promise for marriage, sealed with a ring and a kiss
- Marriage contract: a written agreement, including provisions for a dowry and settlement
- Parental permission: legal marriage age was 12 for girls, 14 for boys
- Arranged marriages: common for family benefit, prestige, or wealth
- Wedding rings: a symbol of the girl's willingness to marry her husband
Betrothal: a mutual promise for marriage, sealed with a ring and a kiss
During the Elizabethan era, betrothal was the act of making a mutual promise or contract for a future marriage—the old form of an engagement. This was a significant moment, as it sealed the couple's commitment and intention to marry each other.
The betrothal ceremony involved several symbolic gestures and exchanges that solidified the promise of marriage. Firstly, the couple would join hands, symbolising their unity and agreement to be bound together. Then, as a token of his commitment, the man would present his betrothed with a ring, which she would wear on her right hand. This ring served as a visible symbol of her willingness to be married and her acceptance of his proposal. The ring was not just a decorative object but carried deep significance, believed to represent a vein that led directly from the "ring finger" of the left hand to the heart. This tradition of wearing the wedding ring on the left hand is something that has endured and continues to be practised today.
The exchange of a kiss during the betrothal was another important aspect, sealing the contract with a romantic and intimate gesture. This kiss was more than just a display of affection; it held legal weight, binding the couple together in the eyes of their community. The betrothal was further solidified through signatures on a marriage contract, which outlined the provisions for the bride's dowry and the settlement in cash and property by the husband's family. This contract ensured the welfare of the bride, guaranteeing her financial security, especially if her husband were to pass away before her.
Betrothals in Elizabethan times were not taken lightly, and breaking the marriage contract without a valid reason carried consequences. If a man were to renege on his promise, he would be required to return any tokens or gifts received during the betrothal. However, it is important to note that betrothals could be cancelled by mutual consent, and there were specific circumstances that allowed for the dissolution of the contract, such as religious differences, multiple marriages, enmity, drunkenness, or long periods of separation.
While the betrothal ceremony solidified the couple's commitment, it is worth noting that marriages during this era were often arranged, especially among the nobility, to bring prestige or wealth to the families involved. Many couples would meet for the first time on their wedding day, having had little to no say in the matter. This highlights the contrast between the romantic gestures of the betrothal and the reality of marriage practices during the Elizabethan era.
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Marriage contract: a written agreement, including provisions for a dowry and settlement
During Elizabethan times, marriage contracts were often arranged so that both families involved would benefit financially or in terms of social status. These contracts were formalised through written agreements, which included provisions for a dowry and settlement.
A marriage settlement was an arrangement whereby a trust of land or other assets was established jointly by the parents of the bride and bridegroom. The trustees were the legal owners of the assets, while the couple were the beneficial owners during their lifetimes. After their deaths, the ownership of the assets would pass to their children. Such settlements ensured the proper use of a dowry—a sum of money or property brought by a bride to her husband on their marriage—provided by the bride's father for his daughter's financial support.
The written agreement for a marriage contract would have included the specific details of the dowry and settlement. This might include the amount of money or the particular assets to be provided by the bride's father as a dowry, as well as the nature of the trust of land or other assets established by the parents of the couple.
In addition to the financial and legal aspects, an Elizabethan marriage contract also carried symbolic significance. The exchange of wedding rings, for instance, held great importance. The ring, worn on the third finger of the left hand, symbolised the woman's willingness to marry and her commitment to her husband. This custom persists to the present day, with many still believing in the old myth that a vein in this finger leads directly to the heart.
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Parental permission: legal marriage age was 12 for girls, 14 for boys
In Elizabethan times, the process of announcing a wedding engagement followed a set of strict customs and traditions that reflected the social and cultural norms of the era. One of the most important aspects was seeking parental permission, as the concept of marriage was deeply rooted in family ties and dynastic alliances. The legal marriage age during this period was notably lower than what we are accustomed to today, with 12 years old being the minimum age for girls and 14 years old for boys.
Seeking parental consent was not merely a matter of respect or tradition but a legal necessity. Both the Church of England and the civil law courts required the consent of parents or guardians for marriages to be considered valid. This consent was typically given during the betrothal process, which was a formal agreement between the families of the bride and groom. The betrothal often involved negotiations over dowry, property, and social status, ensuring that the union benefited both families.
For girls as young as 12, the idea of romantic love often took a back seat to more practical considerations. Marriages were frequently arranged to strengthen social ties, improve financial situations, or elevate family status. It was common for parents to begin discussing potential matches for their children at a young age, and these arrangements could be made years in advance of the actual wedding. While boys had a slightly later legal marriage age, it was still common for their parents or guardians to make decisions regarding their future spouses.
During the betrothal period, the couple would exchange vows, often in the presence of their families and sometimes with a priest presiding. These vows were considered legally binding, and breaking them was a serious matter. The exchange of rings, usually made of gold, marked the official engagement, and the groom was expected to present his bride-to-be with a gift, often in the form of money or land. Once the betrothal was complete, the couple was considered "pre-contracted," and the wedding date could be set.
While the minimum marriage age may seem shockingly low by modern standards, it is important to understand the context of the time. Life expectancy was significantly lower during the Elizabethan era, and childhood mortality rates were high. Marrying at a young age was often seen as a way to ensure the continuation of family lines and secure financial stability. Additionally, the idea of adolescence as a distinct phase of life did not exist, and young people were expected to quickly assume adult responsibilities.
Despite the formalities and practical considerations, love and romance were not entirely absent from Elizabethan engagements and marriages. Couples often found ways to express their affection, and there are numerous examples of passionate and devoted relationships from this era. While parental permission and societal expectations played a significant role, individuals still had agency in choosing their partners and could refuse matches that they found unsuitable.
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Arranged marriages: common for family benefit, prestige, or wealth
In Elizabethan times, marriage was often arranged by families, with little choice given to the spouses being joined. The primary purpose of marriage was not to establish a relationship between a man and a woman, but rather to forge a business arrangement between two families, benefiting them financially or adding prestige.
While the lower classes had more freedom in choosing their spouses, marriage was a necessity for both men and women. Women who didn't marry were suspected of witchcraft, and their only other option was a life of servitude. Marriage allowed women to gain social status and have children, and if they became widows, they could own property and run businesses. For men, marriage was also a financial transaction, as they received a "marriage portion" from their wives.
The early modern era saw a shift in the marriage system, with love becoming a factor in addition to prudential considerations and community values. This change was more pronounced in the lower classes, as the upper classes continued to arrange marriages for their children, often without regard for their wishes. Girls who objected to their father's choice had to either accept the arranged marriage or risk their disapproval by marrying someone else.
The church dictated marriage, and all ceremonies were held in the Queen's churches and performed by a minister. Couples were required by law to follow the religion of the reigning queen, which could have severe consequences, as seen with the Catholic Queen Mary I, who earned the nickname "Bloody Mary" for burning Protestants.
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Wedding rings: a symbol of the girl's willingness to marry her husband
During the Elizabethan era, a woman's role was largely confined to the domestic sphere, with marriage being an expected and inevitable part of life. Wedding rings were thus a significant symbol of a woman's willingness to enter into this union and accept her husband.
The exchange of rings during a betrothal ceremony—the old form of an engagement—was a mutual promise of future marriage. The man would give a ring to the woman, which she would wear on her right hand, only moving it to her left hand at the wedding. This ring signified the woman's consent to the marriage and her promise to be her husband's wife.
The left hand, and specifically the third finger, was believed to have a vein that led directly to the heart. This belief added a layer of symbolism and romance to the act of exchanging wedding rings. The ring, placed on this finger, represented the emotional and physical connection between the couple, as well as the woman's willingness to open her heart to her husband.
In addition to the symbolic value of the ring, the betrothal ceremony also included signatures on a contract. This contract outlined the financial provisions of the marriage, including the bride's dowry and a settlement by the husband's family. These financial arrangements further emphasised the expectation that women would marry and be supported by their husbands or male relatives.
The wedding ring, therefore, served as a physical reminder of the promises made during the betrothal and the woman's consent to be bound in marriage. It symbolised her willingness to commit her life and heart to her husband, in keeping with the societal expectations of the time.
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Frequently asked questions
A betrothal was the old form of an engagement in Elizabethan times. The couple would join hands, and the man would give the woman a ring to be worn on her right hand. They would seal the contract with a kiss and signatures.
Couples would announce their intention to marry in church on three consecutive Sundays or holy days. This was to allow for any objections and was called "crying the banns".
The couple would exchange rings, with the man giving the woman a ring to wear on her right hand. They would also sign a marriage contract, which included provisions for the bride's dowry and a settlement in cash and property by the husband's family.
