How And When Did People Get Married In The Medieval Period?

Back in the Middle Age, the consent to get married could be either verbal or physical. Sexual intercourse counted as physical consent.

On the other hand, giving your word to marry somebody or offering a gift to that person, even without having a sexual relationship, would also lead to marriage.

Even back in the Middle Age, some individuals were not taking marriage seriously and, therefore, the number of divorces was quite impressive.

This would happen despite the declaration in the 12th century of the sacred character of the church.

Even though strongly recommended to take place in the presence of witnesses, marriages in the Middle Age would often include only the presence of the two persons wanting to get married.

Back in the Middle Age, divorce was not really an alternative. Furthermore, rules like being married to a single person at a time or being allowed to marry only a Christian were given high importance.

Persons related as well as godparents and godchildren were not allowed to marry each other in the Middle Age. Furthermore, the first interdiction could actually serve as reason to undo the marriage.

The famous 'speak now or forever hold your peace' did not use to exist in the Middle Age.

This allowed for new marriages to take place, as past secrets would come up only after the marriage had been celebrated.