medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Since consumation is necessary for validity, and considering the propensity for claiming that a marriage was never consumated (I seem to recall it was a common claim when seeking annulments and dissolving marriages for various reasons), I would not be surprised by the witnesses. I seem to recall that in some areas some evidence of consumation had to be provided on the wedding night in order to affirm that consumation had taken place.
The examples I've come across all seem to involve nobility, which kind of makes since since heredity and doweries and sometimes domains were at stake.
One of my favorite lines in any movie is in "Lion in Winter" wherein Peter O'Toole as Henry, threatening to annul his marriage to Elenor of Aquitaine, roars that "The Pope will be fascinated to learn how this union was never consumated!" - or something like that.
Either way, I have heard of this.
I also came across references to the German practice of a couple co-habiting prior to marriage, which ceremony was postponed until the woman was pregnant, thus showing evidence of consumation and fertility. One of my German friends claimed that the etymology of "Hochzeit" is rooted in this practice, but I've never bothered to check it out.
George the Less
--Original Message Text---
From: Steve Higham
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 2009 18:17:47 +0000
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
********************************************************************** To join the list, send the message: join medieval-religion YOUR NAME to: [log in to unmask] To send a message to the list, address it to: [log in to unmask] To leave the list, send the message: leave medieval-religion to: [log in to unmask] In order to report problems or to contact the list's owners, write to: [log in to unmask] For further information, visit our web site: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/medieval-religion.html
**********************************************************************
To join the list, send the message: join medieval-religion YOUR NAME
to: [log in to unmask]
To send a message to the list, address it to:
[log in to unmask]
To leave the list, send the message: leave medieval-religion
to: [log in to unmask]
In order to report problems or to contact the list's owners, write to:
[log in to unmask]
For further information, visit our web site:
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/medieval-religion.html
