Essay Sample: Betrothal in Elizabethan England

Betrothals, Marriage Ceremonies, & Traditions back in Elizabethan England were strict with its unsaid, but known rules. Not following this disgraced the future family. In the time 1588-1603, it was quite unlike the times now. Betrothals were contract-like and forced more into higher classes for social gain. Ceremonies were planned down to the look of the food, and Traditions were odd compared to today. Marriage in England (1588-1603), was very different from how it is now, Betrothals, Marriage Ceremonies, & Traditions throughout various social classes all had their own set rules on what was allowed and what wasn’t.

Firstly, betrothal in Elizabethan England was very open to younger children regardless of their age. On the webpage ‘Life in Elizabethan England,’ it states, “With parental permission, boys are legal to marry at 14, girls at 12, though it is not recommended so early….Noble families may arrange marriage much earlier.”(Betrothal and Wedding). This shows that many of the young marriages in Elizabethan England were due to alliances or for social gain. Noble families were able to marry younger, therefore, bringing the married up to a noble class. Due to the younger marriages in the noble families, the children still needed caregivers. “When the participants are very young, it is principally to secure a dynastic alliance. They generally do not live together as man and wife (by any definition). Often, the bride may go to live with the groom's family to be brought up in domestic management by her mother-in-law.”. In this case, it shows that the marriage at young ages isn’t for love but family gains and is considered a contract, families will give up their daughters that cannot care for themselves. The marriage isn’t expected to be anything other, as the bride and groom don’t live together afterward. The children couldn’t control the planned marriages between the noble families unlike how the lower status marriages were. 

Secondly, marriage ceremonies and afterward were planned thoroughly. On “Elizabethan Marriages and Weddings” it says, “The Elizabethans were keen on presenting dishes as attractively as possible - in the case of the peacock its colorful feathers would adorn the dish. Bread and sweetmeats would also be prepared. Sweet and Spicy foods were extremely popular and many of the dishes would be highly flavored.” (Elizabethan Marriage and Wedding Reception & Food). This illustrates that Weddings were planned thoroughly especially since they kept the food up to date on the trends and made the dishes appealing to their guests. This reveals that they wouldn’t socially allow plain dishes possibly disgracing them. Planning was a huge part of weddings both before, during, and after. “Large families were the norm as the mortality rate for children and babies was so high. Many Elizabethan women made arrangements for the care of their children in case they died during childbirth.”. This shows that the women knew they had a high chance of dying, and wanted to make sure their children were still cared for even after their deaths. Therefore, proving that even after the wedding ceremonies people still had planned just in case something were to happen, bringing shame onto their family for poor planning skills. The weddings in Elizabethian England were very different from the weddings now. 

Finally, marriage Traditions in England had a few differences that had an impact and changed weddings. In “Elizabethan Marriages and Weddings” it tells, “When the marriage ceremony was over the wedding procession would return to their homes.”. This changes the wedding because it would mean fewer people would have come back to the couple’s house from the ceremony, making it more of a family event. Having the procession of the wedding might’ve been an option for the couple but choosing the color of your dress was most likely a trend. “The color of the wedding clothes were varied - the tradition of wearing white came much later. A bridal procession would move from the family's house to the church. This was a particularly festive event and the procession would be accompanied by musicians.”. The color white sticks out in weddings because guests are wearing different colors, when the bride wears a regular everyday color it doesn’t make her stick out to everyone when it is her wedding. This is different from now-a-day weddings because only the bride wears white and no one else besides maybe their significant other. 

Betrothals, Marriage Ceremonies, and Traditions among differences in social classes all had their own set of rules on what was allowed and what wasn't in England (1588-1603). When the families of Elizabethan England followed these rules, they were brought up and appreciated in their smaller communities. The ones that decided not to follow them kept their social status regular, not gaining much, losing the point of arranged betrothals in the higher classes.