Weddings are an expensive business, whichever way they are looked at, and very often the burden of the cost is shouldered in the large part by the proud parents of the bride and groom.
Indeed, many consider it customary that the father or mother should cough up some cash to contribute to their son or daughter’s wedding, even though this can often be a painful business for anyone who is fonder of saving money than spending it.
However, a document held at the East Riding Archives and Local Studies Service in Beverley tells us that this tradition is a very long one and is by no means unique to recent generations.
The document is a marriage agreement that dates back over 520 years to 24 July 1490, showing the various expenses that were to be incurred by the respective fathers of the bride and groom.
The marriage was between John Baildon and Margarete Haldenby, who appear to have lived somewhere around Reedness near Goole. The agreement helped to bind John’s father Walter Baildon and Margarete’s father Robert Haldenby, to the payment of various wedding expenses.
Walter was expected to clothe the bridegroom, pay for a hogshead of wine at the ceremony and give the newlyweds 10 marks “when they goo to kepe househald”, in other words, to help them set up a home.
Robert was to clothe the bride, pay for dinner at the wedding and buy them meat and drink for three years afterwards. As father of the bride, he also had to pay Walter a dower of £53 (about £27,000 in today’s money).
Sam Bartle, collections officer, said: “These agreements were very common amongst wealthy landed families as huge sums of money and valuable property were involved. Although this wedding was particularly expensive, I think many people today can still identify with the financial burden that was placed on Walter and Robert all those centuries ago.”
The marriage agreement can be viewed at the Treasure House.
For more information, call (01482) 392794 or visit the Treasure House, Champney Road, Beverley.
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