About Medieval Weddings

Medieval weddings might seem more like bacchanal celebrations when compared with today's nuptials, during which the bride makes a slow procession down the aisle, garbed in white, and the reception dances are choreographed with preselected music.
And, while there are traditions from those days of chivalry that have remained, alas, some have not.
Still, marriage as we know it today would not be the institution it is without its medieval roots.

History

In between the fall of Rome and the rise of Tudor England, there was the era of knights in shining armor, damsels in distress, Arthurian legends and chivalry.
This was also the era of weddings that are more similar to modern day nuptials than anything that existed before.
For instance, in Ancient Rome, it was customary for the groom and guests to break a loaf of bread over the bride's head as a symbol of their wishes for a fertile future.
Segue to the middle ages, and the custom morphed into guests bringing small cakes to the ceremony as tribute to the newlyweds. From these stacked minicakes, the elaborate and tiered modern-day wedding cake evolved.

Misconceptions

Despite modern-day depictions of medieval life, bathing was actually deemed a necessity, especially before a wedding. Up until the 1200s, public bath houses were a common feature in medieval metropolises. However, deforestation became abundant in the following century, and it was then that the notion of bathing became a luxury for the rich only.
Bereft of clean water, perfumes became the order of the day, with such scents as jasmine and rosewater being among the most coveted scents.

Significance

It was the dominance of the church that altered the nature of marriage, turning the medieval marriage into a sacred ceremony overseen by the church. At the Council of Westminster in 1076, it was decreed that all brides had to be given away with the approval of the clergy. Without that approval, the marriage was in jeopardy of being unrecognized.
For noble marriages, a ceremony inside a castle, rather than a church, was considered legitimate as long as the reigning priest or bishop gave his approval.

Features

Weddings, even if they were hosted by the nobility, were cause for celebration.
If it were a wedding that united those of royal blood, it would be no question that the ceremonies would be followed by a procession of minstrels, seneschals and jugglers.
Tournaments featuring the bravest and most noble of knights would cap off the event.

Considerations

In that era, it was the feast that drew people to weddings.
Typically, a medieval wedding feast included the likes of roast quail, turtledove, roasted peacock, cheese, tarts, custards and mulled wine.
As for fruit and vegetables, apples a plenty were available, as were the likes of carrots and cabbage.

Resources

• Peek at Medieval Wedding Customs