Junior Rasmussen
Wedding vows are promises exchanged between partners during a wedding ceremony. They are based on Western Christian norms and vary across cultures, religions, and countries. In the 16th century, marriage was a highly sought-after state that granted individuals status as full adults and, in the case of men, householders. The wedding vows from this period can be traced to the Sarum Rite, also known as the Use of Sarum, which was used in medieval England and southern Europe. The oldest wedding vows were printed in the Book of Common Prayer, compiled in 1549, and required brides to vow to obey their husbands. Couples would also exchange rings and read from the Bible. Today, wedding vows in English-speaking countries are mostly derived from the Anglican church, with couples pledging their love and dedication through thick and thin.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wedding vows | I, [bride/groom] take you, [bride/groom] to be my [wife/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 and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I [plight thee my troth/give thee my truth</co: 16>] |
| Clothing | The bride and groom wore their best clothes, but not necessarily white. |
| Flowers | Symbolic flowers or plants, like rosemary, were often worn by attendants. |
| Age | It was common for teenagers to get married, especially among the upper classes. |
| Consent | The Lateran Council required both parties to freely give their consent and say so publicly. |
| Witnesses | The Council of Trent in 1563 required a parish priest to be one of the witnesses to a marriage. |
| Dowry | The dowry was agreed upon by friends and family of both the bride and groom. |
| Community involvement | Acquaintances, friends, and family members were involved in the marriage process. |
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What You'll Learn
- Wedding vows were often said in the 'mother tongue' of those present, rather than Latin
- The bride and groom would wear their best clothes, often adorned with symbolic flowers
- The vows were a promise to be a team and face the world together
- The Book of Common Prayer, compiled in 1549, required the bride to vow to obey her husband
- The vows were: I [bride/groom] take you, [bride/groom] to be my [wife/husband], to have and to hold from this day forward..
Wedding vows were often said in the 'mother tongue' of those present, rather than Latin
The wedding vows of the Sarum rite, also known as the Use of Sarum, were originally developed in medieval England, shortly after the Norman Conquest, and were in use in the 16th century. The Sarum rite was based on the Roman Rite and formed the basis of the first Book of Common Prayer, compiled in the mid-1500s by Thomas Cranmer and others. The Book of Common Prayer was published in 1549 and contained the original wedding vows, which were to be said by the bride and groom.
The Sarum rite was conducted in Latin, but the wedding vows were to be said "in linguam maternam", or in the mother tongue of those present. This meant that the vows were accessible to those who did not understand Latin, which was the language of the church at the time. The practice of saying vows in the mother tongue can be traced back to the 14th century, when couples recited vows to one another in the vernacular language, which was often French.
The wedding vows of the Sarum rite, as well as the later Book of Common Prayer, included the familiar phrases "to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance". The bride vowed to "love, cherish, and obey" her husband, while the groom vowed to "love and cherish" his wife.
The specific wording of the vows in the Sarum rite can be seen in the following example:
> "Ich .N. take the .N. to my weddyd housbonde to hau and to holden fro this day forward, for bettere, for wers, for richere for porere, in seknesse and in helthe to be boneyre and buxsum in bedde and at borde, tyl deth us departe, zif holi cherc".
This translates to:
> "I N. take the N. to 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 be bonoure and buxom in bed and at board till death us depart if holy church it will ordain and thereto I plight the my truth".
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The bride and groom would wear their best clothes, often adorned with symbolic flowers
During the 16th century, wedding ceremonies were considered a very special occasion. The bride and groom would wear their finest attire, which was not restricted to the traditional white dress or tuxedo. Instead, they would don their best clothes, often adorned with symbolic flowers or plants.
The choice of attire was influenced by the difficulty of maintaining an all-white ensemble, as it was challenging to keep it pristine. As a result, brides typically opted for colourful gowns crafted from luxurious fabrics, such as shimmering gold or blue velvet. These dresses were often complemented by accessories like silver or gold belts, floral headpieces, and garlands of rosemary.
Rosemary was a popular choice for bridal adornment due to its fragrance and beauty. It was also symbolic, representing remembrance and love. Brides would often wear rosemary tied around their sleeves or incorporated into their hairstyles, which were carefully combed and plaited according to the fashion of the time.
Grooms, too, would dress in their finest clothes, though specific details of their attire are not as prevalent. It is safe to assume that they also incorporated symbolic flowers or plants into their ensembles, creating a cohesive and festive atmosphere with the bride and the wedding attendants.
The 16th-century wedding fashion was a reflection of the times, where practicality and personal expression intertwined to create a unique and memorable celebration of love and commitment.
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The vows were a promise to be a team and face the world together
In the 16th century, wedding vows were not a purely personal affair but a group effort involving the wider community. The bride and groom would wear their finest clothes, often adorned with symbolic flowers or plants, and the ceremony would be a very special occasion.
The vows themselves were a promise to be a team and face the world together. This was reflected in the traditional vows, which included pledges to stay together "for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health". These vows, which date back to medieval times, were also found in the Book of Common Prayer, assembled in the mid-1500s. The bride and groom would pledge their depth of love to one another, promising that even if things didn't go according to plan, they would remain dedicated to one another.
In the Sarum Rite, which was the basis for the Book of Common Prayer, the vows were as follows:
> "I N. take the, N. to my wedded housbond to have and to holde fro this day forwarde for better for wors : for richer for pouerer : in sykenesse and in hele : to be bonere and buxum in bedde and atte borde till dethe us departhe if holy churche it woll ordeyne and therto I plight the my trouthe."
This translates to:
> "I [name] take you, [name] 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 be bonnyre and buxom in bed and at board, until death us do part if the holy church will ordain, and thereto I plight thee my truth."
The bride's vows included the promise to "love, cherish, and obey", while the groom vowed to "love, cherish, and worship".
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The Book of Common Prayer, compiled in 1549, required the bride to vow to obey her husband
The wedding vows from the 16th century differ significantly from those of the present day. The Book of Common Prayer, compiled in 1549, included a section called "The Forme of Solemnizacion of Matrimonie" and required the bride to vow to obey her husband. This text was authorised by Thomas Cranmer, the archbishop of Canterbury, for use in the Church of England.
The Book of Common Prayer replaced several regional Latin liturgical uses, such as the Use of Sarum, with an English-language liturgy. This shift towards the use of the "mother tongue" was agreed upon by bishops and senior clergy in 1548, who met at Chertsey Abbey and later at Windsor. Despite conservative opposition, Parliament passed the Act of Uniformity on 21 January 1549, and the Book of Common Prayer was required to be in use by 9 June of that year.
The wedding vows from the Book of Common Prayer were not the first of their kind, as similar vows can be traced back to the Sarum rite, which was used in Medieval England. In the Sarum rite, the husband vowed:
> "to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness, and in health, till death us depart."
Cranmer added the words "to love and to cherish" to the husband's vows, while the wife vowed "to love, cherish, and obey". The Sarum rite stated that there were two purposes for marriage: the procreation of children and the avoidance of fornication. Cranmer added a third purpose:
> "for the mutual society, help, and comfort, that the one ought to have of the other, both in prosperity and adversity."
In addition to the wedding vows, the Book of Common Prayer also included a service for confirmation and a catechism. Confirmation was an opportunity for children who had been baptised as infants to personally affirm their faith. The catechism included the Apostles' Creed, the Ten Commandments, the Lord's Prayer, and a discussion of the individual's duty to God and neighbour.
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The vows were: I [bride/groom] take you, [bride/groom] to be my [wife/husband], to have and to hold from this day forward..
The wedding vows, as they are known today, have evolved over centuries and vary across different cultures, religions, and countries. In the 16th century, the wedding vows were influenced by the traditions and norms of the time, and they differed from the vows commonly exchanged today in some aspects.
The 16th century was a period when marriage was not just a personal affair but a community affair, often involving family members, friends, and acquaintances in the process. The wedding vows of that era reflected the societal norms and expectations of marriage. Here is an expanded version of the vows you provided:
"I [bride/groom's name], take you, [bride/groom's name], to be my [wife/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 and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I [pledge/give] thee my troth."
These vows emphasize the commitment to stay together through life's ups and downs, pledging love, honor, and support. The phrase "to have and to hold" signifies the promise to cherish and care for each other. The vow "till death us do part" underscores the intention to remain together for life.
The 16th-century wedding vows also included an expectation of obedience, particularly from the bride. The original wedding vows from the Book of Common Prayer, published in 1549, required the bride to vow to obey her husband. This one-sided commitment is no longer included in modern vows.
The Sarum Rite, also known as the Use of Sarum or the Sarum Manual, was a significant influence on the wedding vows of the time. It dates back to medieval England and was a source for the Book of Common Prayer. The Sarum Rite included the crucial elements of consent and public declaration of intent, with the words "I N. take thee, N."
The specific wording and structure of wedding vows have evolved, and couples today often choose to write their own vows, incorporating personal anecdotes, promises, and sentiments that reflect their unique relationship. However, the core essence of pledging lifelong love, dedication, and support remains at the heart of wedding vows, whether from the 16th century or the present day.
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Frequently asked questions
Wedding vows in the 16th century were not universal and varied across different cultures, religions, and countries. In the Catholic Church, the formalization of matrimonial procedures came in 1563 during the Council of Trent, which required the presence of a parish priest as a witness to the marriage. The oldest traditional wedding vows can be traced back to the manuals of the medieval church. In England, the dioceses of Salisbury (Sarum) and York had their manuals. The Sarum Rite, or Sarum Ritual, was popular throughout southern England and was quoted in the Book of Common Prayer, which was assembled in the mid-1500s. The original wedding vows, as printed in the Book of Common Prayer, are:
> Groom: I, [name], take thee, [name], to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth.
> Bride: I, [name], take thee, [name], 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 obey, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth.
In addition to the vows, there were other customs and practices associated with 16th-century weddings. For example, the bride and groom would wear their finest clothes, often adorned with symbolic flowers or plants. Gift-giving was also a common element of courtship, with gifts exchanged throughout the relationship, from early courtship to pre-betrothal and formal betrothal rituals.
The key elements of 16th-century wedding vows included the promise to love, honour, and cherish one another, as well as the commitment to remain together through good and bad times, sickness and health, and poverty or wealth. This concept of pledging one's love and dedication to each other has endured over the centuries and remains a significant aspect of modern wedding vows.
Yes, there have been variations and changes to wedding vows over time. For example, the original wedding vows from the Book of Common Prayer required the bride to vow to obey her husband. However, modern versions of the vows have removed this one-sided commitment. Additionally, couples now have the option to write their own unique vows, incorporating anecdotes, words, and promises that hold special meaning for them.
