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Take ye not for a husband thine neighbor's man, nor the husband-to-be of thine good
friend, for such are the ways of a harlot. Nor take ye a parson's son, nor the son of a
moneylender, or a tanner, or blacksmith, or any others of low birth for they are dull and smelly
and noisome to mine eyes.- -Proverbials
1:5
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Handfasting
'Til
Death Due Us Part
In the early
1500s, the Clan introduced the now popular wedding clause of
"'Til Death due us part." MacThoy researchers
believe this to be a variation on the Year and a Day handfasting
ceremony.
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The original
intent allowed for a no-fault divorce if the couple discovered on sobriety
that a grievous error had been committed. Then it was only a
matter of time until the couple came upon a dead horse or farm
animal at which time the pair might go their separate ways.
The role of
performing such marriage rites went to a fellow know as the
Patriarch Co in 1500s thieves cant. It may be found
described in the Fraternity of Vagabonds by Jon Awdeley
(1561). (This
manuscript was reprinted by Arthur Kinney in Rogues, Vagabonds
& Sturdy Beggars.--ed)
The 'Til Death
clause is still used in modern marriage ceremonies but the intent
has changed a good deal since it was first brought into usage.
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