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Medieval Wedding Ceremony

MEDIEVAL WEDDING CEREMONY

A fun way to exchange vows

Alan made it so fun – the time went by so fast. We love Alan Katz and will forever be grateful for the beautiful and fun memories he help create that day!                                                           

 Source: Robert & Heather Stoveken – THE KNOT

Opening

BISHOP (Officiant): Blessings and merry meet. Gentle lords and ladies, their bans having been published, we are here today to join the FAIR PRINCE/PRINCESS ___________ and the Noble LORD/LADY ____________ together.

They have asked you here to share in their joy, and to declare their love for one another before you as a community.

BISHOP: Lord, art thou here this day in pledged troth of thy own free will and choice?

LORD/LADY __________ : Aye, Father

BISHOP: Princess, art thou here this day in pledged troth of thy own free will and choice?

FAIR PRINCE/PRINCESS _____________ : Aye, Father

BISHOP: In as much as this Noble Lord/Lady and Fair Prince/Princess have pledged their troth to be married this day, we call upon Heaven to bless this union. Therefore if any one can show just cause, why they may not be joined together, by God’s Law, or the Laws of the Realm; let them now speak, or else hereafter keep silent for all time.

Lest it not be overlooked, however, there is rumor amongst the fair princess’ people that any such scurrilous objector shall be later beheaded today at the feast for the entertainment and amusement of the Lords and Ladies in attendance.

There being no objection to this marriage let us continue.

Sacred Blade

BISHOP: Swear you now, on this sacred blade, that there is no reason known to you that this union should not proceed.

LORD/LADY ___________ : I do so swear.

BISHOP: Is there any reason known to you why this partnership should not be made?

FAIR PRINCE/PRINCESS ___________ : There is none.

BISHOP: Heavenly Father, creator of all things both in heaven and Earth, we humbly ask thee to bless this union, may these thy servants seek goodness all the days of their lives, may they be strong in defense of what is right, may they be united as one even as thou art with God.

May they be numbered amongst thy sheep. We humbly pray in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit. AMEN

I Will’s

Do you LORD/LADY __________ take unto thyself as husband/wife the FAIR PRINCE/PRINCESS ____________ and pledge unto him/her before God and these witnesses to be his/her protector, defender and sure resort, to honor and sustain him/her, in sickness and in health, in fair and in foul, with all thy worldly powers, to cherish and forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him/her, so long as ye both shall live?

LORD/LADY __________ : I will.

BISHOP: Do you FAIR PRINCE/PRINCESS ____________ take unto thyself the Noble LORD/LADY ___________ to be thy rightful lord/lady Husband/Wife and pledge unto himher before God and these witnesses to honor and cherish him/her, to cleave unto him/her, in sickness and in health, in fair and in foul, be his one true and lasting counselor and solace, and forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him/her, so long as ye both shall live?

FAIR PRINCE/PRINCESS ___________ : I will.

Ring Exchange

BISHOP: Heavenly Father, bless these rings which Noble LORD/LADY _________ and FAIR PRINCE/PRINCESS __________ have set apart to be visible signs of the inward and spiritual bond which unites their hearts. As they give and receive these rings, may they testify to the world of the covenant made between them.

LORD/LADY ____________ : Receive and wear this ring as a symbol of my trust, my respect and my love for you.

FAIR PRINCE/PRINCESS ____________ : Receive and wear this ring as a symbol of my trust, my respect and my love for you.

BISHOP: This circle will now seal the vows of this marriage and will symbolize the purity and endlessness of their love.

Hand Fasting / Hand Binding

We will now do the ancient Celtic hand fastening ritual where 3 cords will be placed over their joined hands.

Person 1 will now place the Burgundy cord to symbolize romance, partnership and happiness

Person 2 will now place the Ivory cord which stands for peace, sincerity and devotion.

Person 3 will now place the gold cord which represents unity, prosperity and longevity.

Person 4 will now tie the cords together to signify the tying of the knot.

BISHOP: As this knot is tied, so are your lives now bound. Woven into this cord, imbued into its very fibers, are all the hopes of thy friends and family, and of thyselves, for a new life together.

With the fashioning of this knot you tie all the desires, dreams, love, and happiness wished here in this place to your lives for as long as love shall last.

In the joining of hands and the fashioning of a knot, so are your lives now bound, one to another.

By this cord you are thus now and forevermore bound to your vow.

May this knot remain tied for as long as love shall last. May this cord draw your hands together in love, never to be used in anger.

May the vows you have spoken never grow bitter in your mouths. As any child discovers when they are learning to tie their own shoes, the first move is to cross the ends.

The cross creates the (X), which is the symbol of partnership and union. As your hands are bound by this cord, so is your partnership held by the symbol of this knot.

Two entwined in love, bound by commitment and fear, sadness and joy, by hardship and victory, anger and reconciliation, all of which brings strength to this union.

Hold tight to one another through both good times and bad, and watch as your strength grows.

I shall now remove the cords.

Closing

Thou hast pledged troth of thy own free will and sworn upon the Sword, Thou hast exchanged rings and been bound together by the ritual of the cords.

May it be granted that what is done before the gods be not undone by man.

The Kiss

Before I proclaim you joined thou must kiss three times on cue.

Once for luck, Twice for Love and Thrice for Long life.

By the Power Vested in my by the Realm

I now pronounce you LORD/LADY ___________ and FAIR PRINCE/PRINCESS ___________ , Husband/Wife and Husband/Wife.

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