Marriage in the Middle Ages - 1808 Words

I. Marriage in the Middle Ages A. Marriage and women’s rights in the medieval society B. Thesis: Arrangement of marriages, abuse and adultery, divorce and desertion II. Arrangement of Marriages A. Age requirements 1. Muslim 2. Christianity B. Betrothals 1. Elite 2. Peasants III. Adultery A. Upper elite nobility 1. Priests and sex a. Peasants b. Concubines 2. Kings a. Servants IV. Abuse to wives A. Physical violence 1. Lower class 2. Nobility a. Abduction/imprisonment of wives B. Repercussions for husbands versus wives V. Divorce A. Religion 1. Christianity 2. Muslim 3. Judaism B. Desertion 1. Repercussions a. Wife b. Family VI. Conclusion A. Catholic marriages†¦show more content†¦Marriage within the Christian faith was meant to be until death, thus the attraction between the couple was also very important. As young as 7 years old, parents would sometimes house the couple to make sure they were suited for each other. In the Muslim culture, the match between a bride and groom was not as important because the dissolution of marriage was not uncommon. Betrothals were more frequent among the upper class in order to keep the family bloodline as pristine as possible. â€Å"...family histories from twelfth-century France are very conscious of genealogy, but less so of the individuality of the women who are bearers of that genealogy† (Karras). Marriage among peasants did not have these types of restraints to compete with which allowed the spouses to sometimes select their partners. This also meant for a happier, healthier marriage and less chances for an annulment or divorce. â€Å"In the Middle Ages, as in other ages, powerful men married monogamously, but mated polygynously. Both laymen and church men tended to have sexual access to as many women as they could afford† (Betzig). This type of behavior was more common in the higher class society. Women and men were both guilty of this crime, but it was easier for men to commitShow MoreRelatedMarriage Research Paper712 Words   |  3 PagesIan Moskowitz Mrs. Riccardi English IV H 30 January 2009 During the middle ages there were different expectations of marriage compared to today. Through out both there have been divorces arranged marriages and ceremonial traditions that have occurred. Each having comparisons and differences to one another. Divorce was something that been uncommon in the middle Ages the only ones who could divorce were men if their wives had committed adultery. Women on the otherRead MoreEssay on Weddings of the Middle Ages1129 Words   |  5 PagesWeddings of the Middle Ages As the ages have past weddings have changed, the most interesting weddings took place in the middle ages. Middle ages were full of mystery and lust, women were not merely wives but prizes and a possession, rarely was it love. 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