Good morrow. You must excuse me, for the bans
are about to be announced. I am Thomas, father of the bride. My
daughter, fair she be, is to be betrothed to a fine young man
- an apprentice with a great deal of promise serving under John
Shakespeare at his leather goods shoppe.
Did I hear you whisper that you don't know what a betrothal is?
My Mary and her Richard will be making a promise to each other
to be together as a man and wife as they exchange rings - and
an apple - as a symbol of that promise: a betrothal. There are
some who choose to promise themselves to each other for 364 days,
to renew their promise on the 365th day to remain as man and wife.
My own wife and I have betrothed ourselves to each other for a
lifetime.
Later, several months from now my daughter
has decided, Richard and she will formally exchange vows of marriage
in front of the local church. She did say that the Reverend Leicester
has been invited to attend. You find that quite odd? Someone in
your party told me that in your city, the betrothed exchange vows
in a church or house of worship and that the priest, pastor, or
rabbi is always a part of the ceremony. (I find that quite odd!)
We will be having a wedding feast in the courtyard of our home:
chicken, cabbage soup, a salad of spinach, and my wife's famous
apple tarts. I offer you my kind invitation to attend.
Here comes my lovely wife! Millicent, would
you please help this young visitor?
Welcome to Lancaster Fields, fair visitor. I understand that my
husband has been bending your ear about the upcoming betrothal.
I'd imagine that, being a man, he left out some details that you
are most interested in! First of all, for betrothals (engagements),
we dress as we would dress ordinarily. For Mary's exchange of
vows on the steps of the church, she will be wearing the plain
white dress that I have been sewing for her, with a special wreath
of herbs and flowers for good luck as a crown on her beautiful
auburn hair. My husband and I have saved and collected for Mary's
dowry. A young woman in our day's must have a dowry to even be
considered a prized catch for a promising young man. I must leave
you now. Do come to the exchange of vows!
References:
Lyon, Sue, ed. Exploring the Past: The Italian Renaissance
. Marshall Cavendish Limited. New York, 1989.
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