_Marriage Ceremony in the Fourteenth Century_ (Vol. ix., p. 33.).--If R. C.
will refer to Palmer's _Origines Liturgicæ_ (Rivington, 1845, vol. ii. p.
214.), he will find that the first part of the matrimonial office was
"anciently termed the _espousals_, which took place some time _before_ the
actual celebration of marriage." Palmer explains:
"The espousals consisted in a mutual _promise_ of marriage, which was
made by the man and woman before the bishop or presbyter, and several
witnesses. After which, the articles of agreement of marriage (called
_tabulæ matrimoniales_), which are mentioned by Augustin, were signed
by both persons. After this, _the man delivered to the woman the ring
and other gifts_; an action which was termed _subarrhation_. In the
latter ages the espousals have always been performed at the same time
as the office of matrimony, both in the western and eastern churches;
and _it has long been customary_ for the ring to be delivered to the
woman _after the contract has been made_, which has always been in the
actual office of matrimony."
Wheatly also speaks of the _ring_ as a "token of _spousage_." He tell us
that--
"In the old manual for the use of Salisbury, before the minister
proceeds to the marriage, he is directed _to {85} ask the woman's
dowry_, viz. _the tokens of spousage: and by these tokens of spousage
are to be understood rings, or money, or some other things to be given
to the woman by the man; which said giving is called subarration_ (i.
e. wedding or covenanting), _especially when it is done by the giving
of a ring._"--_A Rational Illustration of the Book of Common Prayer,
&c._ (Tegg, 1845), p. 408.
Perhaps the word _subarration_ may suggest to R. C. a clue, by which he can
mend his extract?