Book of Common Prayer · Matrimony (1662) · All versions
Be wifmannes beweddunge (Of Betrothing a Woman) (early 11th century)
English translation by Benjamin Thorpe (1840) from the Old English. Read the Old English edition. Words in [brackets] are supplied or summarise omitted matter.
An Anglo-Saxon ordinance on betrothal, printed by Thorpe among the laws of King Edmund: the groom's pledge ("wed") and sureties, the "foster-lean" for the bride's upbringing, her dower, and the rule that a mass-priest should bless the union. Thorpe's 1840 translation; his Old English terms are kept: "wed" (pledge), "foresprecas" (advocates), "borh" (surety), "bot" (compensation).
Source: B. Thorpe, Ancient Laws and Institutes of England (1840), vol. 1, pp. 254–257 (Internet Archive). Public domain.
Of Betrothing a Woman
1. If a man desire to betroth a maiden or a woman, and it so be agreeable to her and her friends, then is it right that the bridegroom, according to the law of God, and according to the customs of the world, first promise, and give a 'wed' to those who are her 'foresprecas,' that he desire her in such wise that he will keep her, according to God's law, as a husband shall his wife: and let his friends guarantee that.
2. After that, it is to be known to whom the 'foster-lean' belongs: let the bridegroom again give a 'wed' for this; and let his friends guarantee it.
3. Then, after that, let the bridegroom declare what he will grant her, in case she choose his will, and what he will grant her, if she live longer than he.
4. If it be so agreed, then is it right that she be entitled to half the property, and to all, if they have children in common, except she again choose a husband.
5. Let him confirm all that which he has promised with a 'wed;' and let his friends guarantee that.
6. If they then are agreed in every thing, then let the kinsmen take it in hand, and betroth their kinswoman to wife, and to a righteous life, to him who desired her, and let him take possession of the 'borh' who has control of the 'wed.'
7. But if a man desire to lead her out of the land, into another thane's land, then it will be advisable for her that her friends have an agreement that no wrong shall be done to her; and if she commit a fault, that they may be nearest in the 'bot,' if she have not whereof she can make 'bot.'
8. At the nuptials, there shall be a mass-priest by law; who shall with God's blessing bind their union to all prosperity.
9. Well is it also to be looked to, that it be known, that they, through kinship, be not too nearly allied; lest that be afterwards divided, which before was wrongly joined.