As time
went on, marriage by purchase became the way to get married. During this time,
it was customary for unmarried women to wear their hair down and married women
to wear their hair up as a status simple. This also made it easy for single men
to know who the available women were. Unmarried women were financial burdens on
their families and fathers wanted to marry their daughters off as soon as
possible. Marriage was a way for a girl to escape their father's oppression,
only to enter her husband's oppression. The business transaction of marriage
was knows as betrothal. This agreement between the father of the potential
bride and the suitor consisted of an exchange of goods (money, property,
livestock or other items) known as the bride price, a betrothal ring from the
suitor and the date by which the marriage would take place. A third person, the
witness, would be present during the betrothal agreement in case an argument
would arise in the future about the specifics of the agreement. Marriages would
usually take place within 2 years of the agreement. If the suitor broke the
betrothal agreement, he would still be required to give the woman's family the
bride price.
In the 16th century
betrothal agreements started to phase out, leaving room for courtship and
marriage for love, instead of marrying for money. With the end of betrothal in
18th century England, engaged couples could end the engagement without great
financial loss and allowed for people to choose a partner because of love.
By Nicole Mazzeo
Wrapwithus
wedding favors
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