17th Century Marriage

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Marriage and courtship in the 17th century was very strict with many customs and traditions. Marriage was considered the most important turning point in the lives of both men and women (Forgeng 63). Almost as soon as a child was born, the family would arrange a marriage that benefitted both families (“Elizabethan Marriage”). Once the couple established themselves in society, in the lower class this was around age twenty-seven for men and twenty-four for women and in the upper class this was around twenty-four for men and nineteen for women, they could be married (Forgeng 64). However, before marriage, the couple had to court (Forgeng 65). During courtship, the couple would exchange gifts, letters, and visits with each other (Forgeng 65). Also during courtship, the man would accompany the woman …show more content…
Throughout the courtship, one might receive handkerchiefs, gloves, garters, locks of hair, food, spices, and on occasion, a coin broken in half as a token of affection (Forgeng 65). Succeeding the courtship, the man would propose. Being engaged or betrothed was taken very serious (Forgeng 65). This promise had to be made in front of a witness (Forgeng 65). When the man proposed, he would often give a ring, bracelet, or gloves as a symbol of marriage (Forgeng 65). Following the engagement, three successive Sunday’s were needed in the church prior to the marriage to provide an opportunity for any objections (Forgeng 66). If there was any objections, the couple was not fit to marry (Forgeng 66). If the three Sunday’s went by with no objections, the families of the couple would negotiate the families possessions that their son or daughter would take into the marriage (Forgeng 65). The bride was expected to bring a dowry into the marriage (“Elizabethan Marriage”). This would often include money, goods, or property (“Elizabethan

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