A LITTLE HISTORY ON “HANDFASTING”
What is “Handfasting”?
Until the time leading up to, and during the Middle Ages, weddings were
considered affairs that included both family and community.
The only thing needed in those times to create a marriage was for both partners
to state their consent to take one another as spouses.
The tradition of handfasting started in Scotland and was considered more of a
contract than a romantic endeavor. Witnesses were not always necessary, nor was
the presence of the bride!
The role of the clergy at a medieval wedding was simply to bless the couple.
Until the council of Trent in the 15th century it was not official that a third
party such as a priest or minister officiate the vows of marriage.
Until that time it was left up to the individuals involved to perform the
ceremony. This was done many times in the home of the bride.
In the later medieval period, the wedding ceremony moved from the house of the
bride to the
church.
It began with a procession to the church from the bride’s house.
Vows were exchanged outside the church and everyone would then move inside for
high Mass.
After Mass, the procession went back to the bride’s house for feasting and
musicians accompanied the procession.
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