_From a Lady--To the Editor._
Sir,--If a brief account of the manner of celebrating marriage in some
parts of Wales should afford entertainment to your readers, I shall feel
gratified.
The early part of my life was spent at a village in the mountainous part
of Glamorganshire, called Myrther Tidvel. Since then it has become a
considerable place for the manufactory of iron, and I expect both the
manners and inhabitants are much changed: the remembrance of its rural
and lovely situation, and of the simplicity of its humble villagers,
when I lived amongst them, often produces in my mind the most pleasing
sensations.
Some weeks previous to a wedding taking place, a person, well-known in
the parish, went round and invited all, without limitation or
distinction, to attend. As the ceremonies were similar I shall select
one, as an illustration, in which I took part as bride’s-maid to a much
valued servant.
On the evening previous to the marriage, a considerable company
assembled at the bride’s father’s, and in a short time the sound of
music proclaimed the approach of the bridegroom. The bride and her
company were then shut up in a room, and the house-doors locked; great
and loud was the cry for admittance from without, till I was directed,
as bride’s-maid, by an elderly matron, to open the window, and assist
the bridegroom to enter, which being done the doors were set open, and
his party admitted. A room was set apart for the young people to dance
in, which continued for about an hour, and having partaken of a common
kind of cake and warm ale, spiced and sweetened with sugar, the company
dispersed.
At eight, next morning, I repaired to the house of the bridegroom, where
there had assembled in the course of an hour about one hundred and fifty
persons: he was a relation to the dissenting minister, a man highly
esteemed; and he was much respected on that as well as his own account.
The procession set out, preceded by a celebrated harper playing “Come,
haste to the wedding;” the bridegroom and I came next, and were followed
by the large company. At the door of the bride’s father we were met by
the bride, led by her brother, who took their station behind the
bridegroom and me; her company joining, and adding nearly as many again
to the procession: we then proceeded to the church, the music playing as
before. After the ceremony the great door of the church was opened, and
the bride and her maid having changed their partners were met at it by
the harper, who struck up “Joy to the bridegroom,” and led the way to a
part of the church-yard never used as a burial-ground; there placing
himself under a large yew-tree the dancers immediately formed, the bride
and bridegroom leading off the two first dances,--“The beginning of the
world,” and “My wife shall have her way:” these are never danced but on
like occasions, and then invariably.
By this time it was twelve o’clock, and the bride and bridegroom,
followed by a certain number, went into the house, where a long table
was tastefully set out with bread of two kinds, one plain and the other
with currants and seeds in it; plates of ornamented butter; cold and
toasted cheese; with ale, some warmed and sweetened. The bride and her
maid were placed at the head of the table, and the bridegroom and her
brother at the bottom. After the company had taken what they liked, a
plate was set down, which went round, each person giving what they
chose, from two to five shillings; this being done, the money was given
to the bride, and the company resigned their places to others; and so on
in succession till all had partaken and given what they pleased. Dancing
was kept up till seven, and then all dispersed. At this wedding upwards
of thirty pounds was collected.
In an adjoining parish it was the custom for the older people to go the
evening before, and take presents of wheat, meal, cheese, tea, sugar,
&c., and the young people attended next day, when the wedding was
conducted much in the way I have described, but smaller sums of money
were given.
This method of forwarding young people has always appeared to me a
pleasing trait in the Welsh character; but it only prevails amongst the
labouring classes.
When a farmer’s daughter, or some young woman, with a fortune of from
one hundred to two hundred pounds, marries, it is generally very
privately, and she returns to her father’s house for a few weeks, where
her friends and neighbours go to see her, but none go empty-handed. When
the appointed time arrives for the young man to take home his wife, the
elderly women are invited to attend the _starald_, that is, the
furniture which the young woman provides; in general it is rather
considerable. It is conveyed in great order, there being fixed rules as
to the articles to be moved off first, and those which are to follow. I
have thought this a pleasing sight, the company being all on horseback,
and each matron in her appointed station, the nearest relations going
first; all have their allotted basket or piece of small furniture, a
horse and car following afterwards with the heavier articles. The next
day the young couple are attended by the younger part of their friends,
and this is called a _turmant_, and is frequently preceded by music. The
derivation of _starald_ and _turmant_ I never could learn, though I have
frequently made the inquiry.