File:Manners and customs of the English nation, from the invation of Julius Cæsar to the present time (1859) (14585834029).jpg

Identifier: mannerscustomsof00broo (find matches)
Title: Manners and customs of the English nation, from the invation of Julius Cæsar to the present time
Year: 1859 (1850s)
Authors: Brookes, John, F.G.S. (from old catalog)
Subjects:
Publisher: London, J. Blackwood
Contributing Library: The Library of Congress
Digitizing Sponsor: The Library of Congress

View Book Page: Book Viewer
About This Book: Catalog Entry
View All Images: All Images From Book
Click here to view book online to see this illustration in context in a browseable online version of this book.

Text Appearing Before Image:
d there-with, were curious. The day before the wedding day, all the relations and friends of the bridegroom, having been invited, arrived at his house, and spent the time in merriment, and in preparing for the important ceremony. Next morning, the bridegrooms company mounted on horseback completely armed, and then proceeded in great order to conduct the bride safely to the house of her future husband. After the nuptial benediction was given, the bride and bridegroom were crowned by the priest with crowns made of flowers. The wedding dresses of the bride and three of her maidens—of the bridegroom and three of his attendants—were of a peculiar colour and shape, and could not be used on any other occasion. When night came, the newly-married couple were conducted to and placed on the hymenean couch, where they drank of the marriage cup with all who were present. On the following morning, before the two arose, the company assembled in the bedroom to hear the husband declare the morning gift; in other
Text Appearing After Image:
Hawking. THE ENGLISH NATION. 51 words, what settlement and indulgences he would allow his wife. When the gift was declared, a sufficient number of his relations undertook to see that he would perform what he promised. Feasting and rejoicing continued for several days; indeed, they seldom ended till all their provisions were consumed. The lawrs of matrimony were observed with great strictness. Examples of adultery were very rare; and who can wonder? The husband of the adulteress cut off her hair in presence of her relatives—stripped her almost naked—turned her out of his house, and whipped her from one end of the village to the other! Any woman thus exposed never recovered her character; and neither youth, beauty, nor riches, could procure her another husband. Women of all ranks generally nursed their own children. It was not always so, however, else the following severe remark, quoted by Adams, would not have been called for:—A certain wicked custom hath arisen among married people, thatsom

Note About Images