This may be of interest to the original poster. From the Stonor Papers (No.
110 in the Kingsford publication if you want to look it up) a letter from Sir
Richard Harcourt to Thomas Stonor, 1 Feb. c.1470:
". . . I send (John) Cottesmore to London to have his array made there after
your desire, a long gown of crimson cloth and another long gown of blue
cloth; and I pray you that my servant may know where the cloth shall be both
for my daughter and yours (Jane, who was betrothed to John), that Cottesmore
may have of the same cloth and a friend of mine shall pay therefore till that
I come to London . . . As for the day of the marriage . . . .
Furthermore my wife sends you a ring by my servant at this time for my
daughter and yours to be wedded therewith."
Cottesmore was Stonor's ward but was apparently staying with the Harcourts.
Stonor's eldest daughter Jane, who did marry Cottesmore shortly after this
letter, was apparently Richard Harcourt's god-daughter. It may very well be
that the articles of clothing mentioned first had no relationship to the
upcoming nuptials but I included them as I was uncertain.
Also, if you are interested, Christiane Klapisch-Zuber in a book from 15 or
so years ago (sorry I don't remember the title) went over various Italian
customs of the 15th cent. She discussed weddings in one of the chapters.
Although the focus of that chapter was the exchange of rings I believe she
did discuss the matter of dressing the bride and groom. I have a copy of the
chapter somewhere in my files and having trouble locating it, but will repost
the particulars later, if someone else doesn't beat me to it.
best regards
mark
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