medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
At least in the Sarum Manual, the church literally gave its blessing. It has a ritual at the end of the marriage rite for blessing the bridal chamber, the marriage bed, and the couple in the bed. It ends: "After doing these things, sprinkle them with holy water, and so depart and leave them in peace." But nothing there about how many other people might have been milling about during all this blessing.
Best,
John
------------------------------------------
John Shinners
Professor of Humanistic Studies
Saint Mary's College
Notre Dame, Indiana 46556
Phone: 574-284-4494 or 574-284-4534
Fax: 284-4855
www.saintmarys.edu/~hust
"Learn everything. Afterwards you will see that nothing is superfluous." -- Hugh of St. Victor (d. 1141)
----- Original Message -----
From: Steve Higham <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Wed, 26 Aug 2009 14:17:47 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: [M-R] The Crowded Bedroom
medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Hello
In his book on The Civilising Process (1994), Elias remarks that on their wedding night the medieval bride would be undressed by her maids and mounted “in the presence of witnesses if the marriage was to be valid” (1994:146). He was referring to Germany and it is not clear which class of medieval bride he is referring to.
Was this common and does this crowded bedroom not undermine the role of the Church - or did the Church give its blessing?
Many thanks
Steve
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