Love and marriage in medieval England

A medieval couple being married by a clergyman. Central miniature, folio 102v. Book IV by Henricus von Assia (13th century). Chapter Archive of Tarazona, Spain. (Photo by PHAS/UIG via Getty Images)

Getting married in the medieval period was incredibly simple for Christians living in western Europe – all they had to do was say their “I do’s” to each other. But, as Sally Dixon-Smith reveals, proving that you were actually married and had not tripped up on the many potential ‘impediments’ to marriage might be another thing altogether

Medieval marriage practice continues to influence ceremonies today – from banns the reading three times of your intention to marry to declaring vows in the present tense. Indeed, the word ‘wedding’ itself even dates from the period.  However, some things were very different…


In the Middle Ages, getting married was easy for Christians living in western Europe. According to the church, which created and enforced marriage law, couples didn’t need the permission of their families or a priest to officiate. However, while tying the knot could take a matter of moments, proving that you were wed often proved difficult. 

Although the church controlled – or tried to control – marriage, couples did not need to marry in a church. Legal records show people getting married on the road, down the pub, round at friends’ houses or even in bed. All that was required for a valid, binding marriage was the consent of the two people involved. In England some people did marry near churches to give greater spiritual weight to proceedings, often at the church door (leading to some rather fabulous church porches being added to earlier buildings), but this still did not necessarily involve a priest.  

Marriage was the only acceptable place for sex and as a result Christians were allowed to marry from puberty onwards, generally seen at the time as age 12 for women and 14 for men. Parental consent was not required. When this law finally changed in England in the 18th century, the old rules still applied in Scotland, making towns just over the border, such as Gretna Green, a destination for English couples defying their families. 


Although the medieval church upheld freely given consent as the foundation of marriage, in practice families and social networks usually had a great deal of influence over the choice and approval of marriage partners. It was also normal at all levels of society to make some ‘pre-nup’ arrangements to provide for widow- and widowerhood and for any children. It was also expected that everyone would seek the permission of their lord, and kings consulted over their own and their children’s marriages. Marriage between people of different classes was particularly frowned on. 

The wedding of saints Joachim and Anne, considered to be the parents of Mary, the mother of God. Codex of Predis (1476). (Photo by Prisma/UIG/Getty Images)

There were various ways in which a medieval couple could use words or actions to create a marriage. Consent to marry could be given verbally by ‘words of present consent’ – no specific phrase or formula was required. A ‘present consent’ marriage did not have to be consummated in order to count. However, if the couple had agreed to get married at some point in the future and then had sex, this was seen as a physical expression of present consent. 

So, for engaged couples, having sex created a legally binding marriage. Consent could also be shown by giving and receiving an item referred to English as a ‘wed’. A ‘wed’ could be any gift understood by those involved to mean consent to marry but was often a ring.  A ‘wedding’ where a man gave a woman a ring and she accepted it created the marriage. 

It is clear that there were misunderstandings. It could be difficult to know if a couple was married and they might even not agree themselves. The statutes issued by the English church in 1217–19 include a warning that no man should “place a ring of reeds or another material, vile or precious, on a young woman's hands in jest, so that he might more easily fornicate with them, lest, while he thinks himself to be joking, he pledge himself to the burdens of matrimony”. The vast majority of marriage cases that came up before the courts were to enforce or prove that a marriage had taken place.

Marriage mix-ups bothered the clergy since, after much debate, theologians had decided in the 12th century that marriage was a holy sacrament. The union of a man and a woman in marriage and sex represented the union of Christ and the church, and this was hardly symbolism to be taken lightly. 

As God was the ultimate witness, it was not necessary to have a marriage witnessed by other people – though it was highly recommended to avoid any uncertainty. There was also a church service available, but it was not mandatory and the evidence suggests that only a minority married in church. Many of those couples were already legally married by word or deed before they took their vows in front of a priest.  


Divorce as we understand it today did not exist. The only way to end a marriage was to prove it had not legally existed in the first place. Christians could only be married to one person at a time and it was also bigamy if someone bound to the church by a religious vow got married. As well as being single and vow-free, you also had to be marrying a fellow Christian. Breaking these rules automatically invalidated the marriage.

The marriage feast at Cana, early 14th century. Below, in an initial letter 'S', the throwing overboard and casting up of Jonah. From the Queen Mary Psalter, produced in England. Illustration from School of Illumination, reproductions from manuscripts in the British Museum, Part III, English 1300 to 1350, (British Museum, Longmans, Green and Co, London, 1921). (Photo by The Print Collector/Print Collector/Getty Images)

There were also a number of other ‘impediments’ that should prevent a marriage going ahead, but might be waived in certain circumstances if the marriage had already taken place. Couples who were already related were not to marry. The definition of ‘family’ was very broad. Before 1215, anyone with a great-great-great-great-great-grandparent in common was too closely related to get married. As this rule was hard to enforce and subject to abuse – the sudden discovery of a long-lost relative might conveniently end a marriage – the definitions of incest were changed by the Fourth Lateran Council in 1215, reduced to having a great-great-grandparent in common. 

As well as blood kinship, other ties could also prohibit marriage. For instance, godparents and godchildren were not allowed to marry as they were spiritually related, and close ‘in-laws’ were also a ‘no-no’.

Reading the ‘banns’ was introduced as part of the 1215 changes to try to flush out any impediments before a marriage took place. Nevertheless, until the Reformation there was no ‘speak now or forever hold your peace’. 


It is difficult to know how many medieval people married for love or found love in their marriage. There was certainly a distinction between free consent to marry and having a completely free choice. What is clear is that the vast majority of medieval people did marry and usually remarried after they were widowed, suggesting that marriage was desirable, if only as the social norm.

Other articles on the same theme:

• William the Conqueror's victory at the Battle of Hastings on 14 October 1066

• New Anglo-Saxon precious treasure, discovered by archaeologists in England

• Top 15 most powerful Women in history. They established new era

• Blood Countess Elizabeth Bathory remains, with 650 victims the most prolific serial killer in human history.

Story source: 

The above post is reprinted from materials provided by Historyextra . Note: Materials may be edited for content and lengt

Leonardo da Vinci's origins are still shrouded in mystery

Although today is considered the greatest genius of the Renaissance, Leonardo da Vinci has not yet revealed all its secrets, its origins remain unknown despite more than 30 years of research, Agnese Sabato and Alessandro announces biographies Vezza.

The two researchers have tried in recent decades reconstitution of the genealogical tree of the greatest thinker and inventor of the Middle Ages, despite very little information currently available.

In fact, the only mention of the birth of da Vinci appears in a notarial document of 1457: "Lionardo, aged 5 years, the illegitimate son of San Piero and Caterina, who is now married to Acchattabriga di Piero del Vacche da Vinci . "

Leonardo da Vinci and the origin of semen Notes and Records Royal Society Publishing 

If biographies were able to identify the person presumed father, San Piero in one of a Florentine notary, absolutely no information about Caterina could not be found. Vinci Italian city archives do not keep any mention of Leonardo's mother, although legend has it that it had been the face of the local peasants.

Five da Vinci inventions Ancient Origins

"Most likely, Catherine would have been a slave of Balkan origin or Arabic, even more because many of the citizens of Florence also used to hold slaves. Official records mentions over 550 servants in wealthy families, and the search is more difficult as most slaves were named Maria, Marta and Caterina "announces Vezza.

Although its origins remain disputed, Italian researchers believe that Leonardo da Vinci would have Arab roots, as demonstrated tests on his fingerprints.


Other articles on the same theme:

• Inferno 2016 Movie "Historical Review and facts"

• New Dan Brown novel entitled "Origins" out next year in the popular series of The Da Vinci Code

• Mona Lisa nude version , painted by Leonardo da Vinci. The painting was found in a private collection

• The REAL hidden message in Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper: Claims artist left out halos to show Jesus was a 'common mortal'

From Heroes of God to servants of the Devil, 716 years since the dissolution of the mysterious Order of the Templars

photo: pinterest

Updated again today: 02/06/2021

Pope Clement V ordered the dissolution of the Templars and their property passed into the possession of King Philip IV of France.

Philip the Fair of Austria.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

The opulence of Order and Rules which gives the organization the privileges of a state within a state are not like the King of Iron, Philip the Fair, a champion of national sovereignty that had the strength to send the chancellor, faithful Guillaume of Nogaret, to slap Pope Boniface VIII, when he asked the king to exempt from tax the French clergy. 

Guillaume de Nogaret

In 1303 the French King Sent Goons to Attack and Kidnap the Pope image - History

Portrait of pope Clement V, Avignon, France photo: wikipedia.org

Updated today 23/05/2020

Despite the aversion they have towards the Templars, Philip the Handsome borrow three times the Order, reaching the threshold of 1307 is practically buried in debt.

Why Knights Templar Gave False Confessions of Depravity Under torture - HISTORY

Also, trying to control how activities as Templars, King hopes to join the Order, but politely declined by the Grand Master, an unpardonable offense. Not least, reach the ears of Philip Order rumors that France would like to found a monastic state on the model established by Teutonic Prussia.

How the Christian Teutonic Knights Civilized the Baltic Pagans Magi Mike's Blog

 All these aspects are undesirable in the eyes of the king's order; Philip IV, taking advantage of a puppet Pope Clement V, asking him his trusted man - Nogaret ( Guillaume de Nogaret )- prepare destruction of the Templars.

The machinations is driven by Esquieu of Floryan, former commander of Commanderies Temple at Montfaucon, expelled from the Order, which provides them Nogaret's written testimony showing that the Templars secret practice disgusting profane rituals. 

The Templars by Dan Jones Penguin Random

Relying on a claim of Grand Inquisitor of France, after long and painstaking army is preparing for this operation, on October 13, 1307, the king of all arrests in the United Templars. Stunned by what had happened, very few Templars protest, and less fighting - they are killed to the last.

Why Friday the 13th Spelled Doom for the Knights Templar - HISTORY

Most Knights fall into the hands of the Inquisition, in the cellars which are systematically tortured, savagely and much sadism, and recognize all the accusations: they disowned Jesus practiced sodomy, worshiped the devil. Philip II prowess a real circus with plenty of accusations, trials, torture and retractions, Grandmaster playing in counter-attack, adopting attitudes silly, not understanding the seriousness of the situation and even refusing to defend the Order.

Requiem: The Fall of the Templars by Robyn Young

Other articles on the same theme:

• Warriors in the name of the Cross

• Land of The Dead and the Power of Satan in Middle Ages

• The Mysterious Manuscript: Book of Soyga Translated by Archangel Uriel on March 10, 1582

• 5 Myths About Christianity

Story source: 

The above post is reprinted from materials provided by mediafax . Note: Materials may be edited for content and length.

Land of The Dead and the Power of Satan in Middle Ages

People in the Middle Ages led certainly lives quite different from ours. But their thinking was so "different" than ours? In many ways, there are undeniable similarities: they had families, society was divided into states (or classes), living the same ambitions for their children as new and evolving into a world of emotions largely similar to ours.

On the other hand, the ratio of those emotions have another chip. Among other things, that superstition which is antechamber distress, kept the souls and minds trapped in some cruel straps. The taste for morbid faith that the world of the dead intersect naturally with the living conviction that between natural and supernatural no borders precise dark at the "mob" (and not only) serenity reason that gave evidence, however, Christian thinkers and mystics of the same period.

St. Bernard, in the late twelfth century, denounced with a gentle authority this train of superstitions and visions borrowed lack of logic of the delusion: "What sense are there in the cells of the brothers settled down to reading all those monstrosities ridiculous? About there monkeys unclean lions grim, terrible centaurs ? But halves of man? You zari under a head multihull and, for the right balance, more heads under one flesh.

This is a quadruped tailed snake a snake-tailed quadruped! Colo horse ends with a goat and beyond, an animal with horns, finish by a body of a horse. from all sides, an entire naval forms wrongheaded, for your coming rather read marble than in the pages of books and to spend days studying those things strange than cumpanesti the law of Upper. My God, My God, if we do not hinder all this nonsense, even to be ashamed of the thoughts that arise " Useless warnings! As you submit to decline moment, medieval thinking will be given a space in increasingly large and violent images that grim fantasy, wanting to arouse anxiety related to spectrum damnation, actually hiding a whole retinue of lust.

Saint Bernard photo: wikipedia.org

In the Netherlands, Alain de la Roche, a Dominican home Breton visionary, fanciful devotion is perfect - devotio modern - and its religious expression ultraconcreta. In his work, largely composed of sermons and descriptions of fantastic visions, comes out strong sexual excess imagination. 

Here it is seeing "beasts symbolizing sins, endowed with fierce genitalia spitting streams of fire which darkened the earth, describes the meretrix apostasia the harlot apostasy, creating apostates, devouring them and vomitandu them take turns hugging him and dezmierdandu them like a mother "(Johan Huizinga, the decline of the Middle Ages).

Ars moriendi


As understood, so our ancestors world in medieval times? According to philosopher Alan of Lille (XII century), "every creature of this world is a book or a painting or a mirror for us." The author of "book" God and the purpose of life is to understand the meaning of this book, so we can lead a higher spiritual and moral existence. 

Starting with the Renaissance, people began to look at the world in a much different way. They were trying to comprehend so they can control and exploit for their benefit. Medieval world, in contrast, did not ask to be dominated, but rather contemplated. That's because at any moment could feats. For medieval consciousness, fear of impending Armageddon's descent represent a continuing threat and dark, and life beyond, as I said, it was not as limited by the obvious here. Death had visited the living without protocol, unpredictable and insidious, as confesses a story widely circulated in age, history of the three youths live and three dead, which describes the meeting of young rich members of some deceased on the edge of a forest . Skeletons keep them frightened young murmur in his ear a reminder lugubrious chorus: "So how are you guys now we have been us, as we will now be made." Testimonials about corpses traveling on the outskirts of towns and fields are so many, that chronicler William of Newburgh (XII century) complains that "you can not count." Frontiers of the natural and the supernatural are extremely fluid, and traffic between the here and the beyond is not, as one might hasten to believe, one way. Because life lasts "blink of an eye," the Middle Ages was looking for an extend beyond the Acheron.

The descriptive travel widely in the world after death is of course performed by Dante in the Divine Comedy. But she's not alone. Thurkell, peasant from Essex, is recovering from a deep coma bringing with him many and overwhelming images of geography Land of the Dead, and Fursey Irishman returns of Hell flames scorched his beard. 

When borders are passed in a sense, when in the other - and not only by humans but also for whole cohorts of spiritual beings: the nine orders of angels on the one hand, Satan and his hideous appearances Armia other. 

Two camps engaged in a merciless struggle, whose stakes represented the souls of the living. Besides angels who do not always have swords sufficiently sharp and I can not prove always the evil people are protected by the Church ( "Every monastery is - wrote on the 1100 monk Orderic Vitalis - a fortress built to protect us from Satan ") by baptism, which is a form of exorcism, through rites of passage are designed to provide effective protection in the dead man's" great journey ".

If Antiquity boasted the famous Ars Amandi of Ovid, late Middle Ages, in almost all northern Europe, he has made one of the first printings of the West, Ars moriendi (written, apparently, by a Dominican monk at the express request of the Council of to Constance, 1414-1418), the most popular book of the time. Widely read and translated into all the languages ​​of Western Europe, the long version of the paper - Tractatus (or Speculum) artis bene moriendi - it has become extremely popular in England, where he created an entire tradition literary that will culminate later in the eighteenth century, the Holy Living and Holy Dying. This "art of dying properly" consisted of six chapters: the first describes the good parts of death and concluded that death should not scare us, the second depicting the five temptations (lack of faith, despair, impatience, pride and stinginess) you assault the dying and described the methods of their ward, the third listed seven questions that must be addressed dying and consolation available thanks to salvation offered by Christian love, the fourth chapter describes the life of Christ, to be taken to any good Christian as a model, the fifth address intimates and family, indicating rules of behavior that need to be followed around his deathbed and, finally, the sixth proposed set of prayers which was entitled read at bedside of the dying.

 The short version of the book, produced in the Netherlands around 1450, is a development of the second chapter (the temptations of the dying) and contains 11 etchings, the first ten are distributed in pairs, one for each temptation. Every pair is the demon that it seeks to deceive the dying and the way to avoid temptation. The eleventh depict dead coming out victorious in harsh trials, the time when i open the gates of Heaven and Hell demon returns.

When it ended the Middle Ages?


For some, in jest, half seriously, it was not until the twentieth century, when civilization Countryside (life rhythm of the seasons, obedience to nature village) gives way to urban civilization (life rhythm of wages, taxes, subjecting nature , the city). 

Darwin as an old man photo: wikipedia.org

For others, just when the man loses, with modernity, central position in the world thanks to Darwin's theories, he will find that is not found in the middle of its own history (Adam and Eve is but a myth) and by Freud is assured that it is not even the center of his own people, can only with difficulty be master of personal destiny (as long as the unconscious governs a large part of our existence).

Historically, things are simpler: Middle Ages ended with the Renaissance. A decisive year, an absolute frontier 1492, the year of the discovery of America, the moment when Europe, Asia and Africa cease to be the only continents of the planet. 1492 manifests its historical vocation limit and if we consider that marks the end of the Arab invasions in Europe (fall of Granada) and gives the signal that the massive integration of Arab culture (astronomy, mathematics, medicine, culinary arts, sciences, etc.) and by it has scientific treasure of antiquity. I mean is where the premises constitute emergence of humanism, individualism of political development, the notion of progress.

Yet when it ended the Middle Ages?


Here's an artistic perspective on the theme of the end of the medieval world, a parable revealing. One day the summer of 1520, riding a stallion with stumpy wrists and croup stately, melancholic Albrecht Dürer penetrate cutting on a rainy day in the city of Hertogenbosch. Received with honors by some of orfevrii vase you place the artist confesses his astonishment at seeing bold cathedral in the heart of the fair, embodied in a late gothic style. That's because her expectations are as of that day mood: gloomy.

About the settlement in question he knew, in advance, two things: that it was just an overlap surly bricks and that perpetrated with little while ago, there had taken his entire existence Hieronymus Bosch, painter all visions medieval illustrator darkest aberrations morphological mad grafting of species and kingdoms, who had given thousands of faces of people fear and demons of ancient times. 

If seaworthy surprising cathedral delighted him, he Durer, geometrically rational, who draw lines with precision architects man with eyes burned calculations not said a word about the great praise disappeared. It was his way to part with the past tradition dead and obsolete ages, looking for some values over which blew premonition of the future. 1520, the year past was met future, in the central square of Hertogenbosch.


Other articles on the same theme:

• The Most Evil Men In History — Attila The Hun

• 5 Myths About Christianity

• The story of the last wich ( Enriqueta Martí 1913 ) 
• Vlad Dracula Biography (1431-1476

• 5 facts about Grigori Rasputin the evil puppet.

Story source:


The above post is reprinted from materials provided by Descopera . Note: Materials may be edited for content and length.