MEDIEVAL WEDDING
WEDDING RITUALS - Many of the items and rituals that took place during the time of a wedding have become traditions and are practiced today. The marriage ceremony, for example, contains much of the same wording that was used in the middle ages. Today, the man and the woman stand on the same sides of the altar as they did then. The wedding ceremony of today also includes a ring exchange, and the ring is placed on the fourth finger, the same finger it was placed on during the middle ages. Furthermore, a couple and their families would have a large feast after the wedding, this is still carried on in today's society with the wedding reception.
MEDIEVAL WEDDING CAKE - One of the first traditions began in Ancient Rome where bread was broken over the bride’s head to bring good fortune to the couple. In Medieval England cakes were stacked as high as possible for the bride and groom to kiss over. A successful kiss meant they were guaranteed a prosperous life together.
VEIL - Knights returning from the Crusades introduced medieval society to the tradition of a bridal veil. The veil was another symbol of purity and was also believed to protect the bride from "the evil eye."
FLOWERS - Flowers were also important in a medieval wedding. Returning crusaders introduced medieval Europe to a Saracen tradition of weaving a crown out of orange blossoms. Only nobles could afford these very expensive blossoms. Lilies and roses were popular choices for weddings and would be strewn on the floor among the rushes at the marriage feast. The guests would release the fragrance of both as they trod on them underfoot. Carrying a bouquet of flowers does not appear to have been a medieval tradition, although they may have been worn as a chaplet in the hair by less affluent women. Rosemary rosmarinus officinalis, symbolic of memory and fidelity, was used in wreaths for marriages.
FEASTS - The wedding feast was often a lavish affair with many specialty dishes. Francesco Datini, a wealthy Italian businessman married Margherita on the week of Carnivale and the wedding feast included: 406 loaves, 250 eggs, 100 pounds of cheese, two quarters of oxen and 16 of mutton, 37 capons, 11 chickens, 2 boars heads and feet for jelly, an unspecified number of pigeons and waterfowl, local provincial wines and Chianti imported from Tuscani. While this was quite a feast by regular standards, it was quite modest compared to those given by royalty at the times of their own weddings.
MEDIEVAL WEDDING CAKE - One of the first traditions began in Ancient Rome where bread was broken over the bride’s head to bring good fortune to the couple. In Medieval England cakes were stacked as high as possible for the bride and groom to kiss over. A successful kiss meant they were guaranteed a prosperous life together.
VEIL - Knights returning from the Crusades introduced medieval society to the tradition of a bridal veil. The veil was another symbol of purity and was also believed to protect the bride from "the evil eye."
FLOWERS - Flowers were also important in a medieval wedding. Returning crusaders introduced medieval Europe to a Saracen tradition of weaving a crown out of orange blossoms. Only nobles could afford these very expensive blossoms. Lilies and roses were popular choices for weddings and would be strewn on the floor among the rushes at the marriage feast. The guests would release the fragrance of both as they trod on them underfoot. Carrying a bouquet of flowers does not appear to have been a medieval tradition, although they may have been worn as a chaplet in the hair by less affluent women. Rosemary rosmarinus officinalis, symbolic of memory and fidelity, was used in wreaths for marriages.
FEASTS - The wedding feast was often a lavish affair with many specialty dishes. Francesco Datini, a wealthy Italian businessman married Margherita on the week of Carnivale and the wedding feast included: 406 loaves, 250 eggs, 100 pounds of cheese, two quarters of oxen and 16 of mutton, 37 capons, 11 chickens, 2 boars heads and feet for jelly, an unspecified number of pigeons and waterfowl, local provincial wines and Chianti imported from Tuscani. While this was quite a feast by regular standards, it was quite modest compared to those given by royalty at the times of their own weddings.