Constantly, 1 / 2 of it amount was kept in currency in addition to almost every other half in belongings (elizabeth.grams., gold, silver, pearl, products, gowns, ponies, carriages, servants, an such like.). If your lady had no brothers, the fresh dowry can even become belongings.(13) The dental arrangement of your dowry between your dads concluded brand new period of “courtship.”
The next step of betrothal was the fresh new “enjoy.” For the a good pre-setup big date, the bridegroom-to-be found his betroth’s home “within the a clean top” together with his father otherwise old sis. these people were fulfilled because of the girl’s dad whom sat them off on hearth, into home’s finest benches (the new bride-to-be-to-become, yet not, existed concealed). The new contractual files, outlining the latest intention so you’re able to get married together with specifics of the dowry was in fact showed and you may closed. Zero priest try expose at this feel (even in the event when the both sides have been illiterate, a clerk was present). New sgovor had no spiritual definition, however, is simply a business transaction. Following finalizing, merchandise have been traded additionally the girl’s dad displayed the home’s symbol with the customers to help you hug. Brand new cluster then gone to the right back space — an inner waiting area in which the feminine, being always segregated from the men, was achieved (except the near future fiance herself who was banned to get present) — to satisfy the fresh fiancee’s mother also to compliment their unique. She kissed the fiance and her feamales in change accompanied her example. This new routine finished, this new visitors departed.(14)
A short time later on, the newest boy’s mommy stumbled on the fresh bride’s family toward “inspection” to discover the reputation and you can chastity of your own girl. Through to passageway their recognition, the brand new boy’s mom offered the latest fiancee a band. Later on, she may possibly post the latest girl a corner, some fruits, and several headwear into servants.(15)
Discover an alternate sequence from situations suggested from inside the historic files. The new Church didn’t agree of getting betrothals happen additional of Church and you may demanded that sgovor additionally the buying and selling out of rings take place in a chapel and be sanctified because of the good priest. Since Levin demonstrates to you, betrothals have been commonly addressed while the granting formal permission to help you fornicate. The new Chapel noticed, because of its region, that when couples have been going to enjoys sex in advance of relationship after that it could too make betrothals given that binding as relationships itself: “New church stored one to a vow just before Goodness and you may witnesses is getting upheld; a formal promise to help you wed rendez-vous avec l’agence de mariage ГЋles CaraГЇbes was binding upon both parties.”(16)
Quickly until the marriage, it absolutely was preferred to prepare a routine shower [ bania ]. Pursuing the bride’s ritual ablution, the fresh new ‘charmed water’ are meticulously spared and given to the fresh new husband to drink following relationships.(17)
Whilst the Chapel is highly opposed to so it practice (simply because of its pagan root), you’ll find symptoms so it lasted to your sixteenth century.
A new pre-wedding personalized are brand new “maiden’s party” — a sort of medieval bachelorette team — the spot where the female achieved on bride the night before relationship. Immediately it was conventional to get rid of the fresh new girl’s headcovering [ kokoshnik ] and you can comb out her locks. Their unique unmarried tress (the brand new symbol off maidenhood during the gothic Russia) was braided for the last time.(18)