Note 929 — Chapter VI · OLD ENGLISH WIFE-PURCHASE YIELDS TO FREE MARRIAGE

See the ritual in Bingham, The Christian Marriage Ceremony, 163, 164; Tegg, The Knot Tied, 10 ff.; Moore, How to Be Married, 27 ff.

"This first part of the office was anciently termed the espousals, which took place some time before the actual celebration of marriage. The espousals consisted in a mutual promise of marriage which was made by the man and woman before the bishop or presbyter and several witnesses; after which articles of agreement of marriage (called tabulae matrimoniales), which are mentioned by Augustine, were signed by both persons. After this the man delivered to the woman the ring and other gifts, an action which was called subarrhation. In the later ages the espousals have always been performed at the same time as the office of matrimony, both in the western and eastern churches; and it has long been customary for the ring to be delivered to the woman after the contract has been made, which has always been in the actual office of matrimony."—Palmer, Origines liturgicae (1839); quoted also by Jeaffreson, Brides and Bridals, I, 68, who in his chapter on "Espousals" (op. cit., I, 60-87) gives much information relating to ancient betrothal customs. Cf. Brand, Popular Antiquities, II, 87-98 (betrothal customs).