English Wedding Vows
from the 16th century
Points to note: The text includes N. which is replaced by the groom's full name or the bride's full name, as appropriate. The "+" mark in the final blessing is the usual prompt for making the sign of the cross. We've included a few modern translations to some archaic words, in square brackets.
A facsimile of the original can be seen in this PDF file.
First the Banns must he asked three several Sundays or Holy Days in the Service time, the people being present, after the accustomed manner.
And if the persons that would be married dwell in divers Parishes, the Banns must be asked in both Parishes; and the Curate of the one Parish shall not solemnize Matrimony betwixt them, without a certificate of the Banns being thrice asked, from the Curate of the other Parish.
At the day appointed for Solemnization of Matrimony, the persons to be married shall come into the body of the Church with their friends and neighbours; and there the Priest shall thus say:
Dearly beloved friends, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of his congregation, to join together this Man and this Woman in holy Matrimony; which is an honourable estate, instituted of God in Paradise, in the time of man's innocency, signifying unto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and his Church; which holy estate Christ adorned and beautified with his presence, and first miracle that he wrought, in Cana of Galilee; and is commended of Saint Paul to be honourable among all men: and therefore is not to be enterprised, nor taken in hand unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly, to satisfy men's carnal lusts and appetites, like brute beasts that have no understanding; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God; duly considering the causes for the which Matrimony was ordained. One cause was the procreation of children, to be brought up in the fear and nurture of the Lord, and praise of God. Secondly, it was ordained for a remedy against sin, and to avoid fornication; that such persons as be married might live chastely in matrimony, and keep themselves undefiled members of Christ's body. Thirdly, for the mutual society, help, and comfort, that the one ought to have of the other, both in prosperity and adversity. Into the which holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined. Therefore if any man can shew any just cause why they may not lawfully be joined so together, let him now speak, or else hereafter for ever hold his peace.
And also speaking to the persons that shall be married, he shall say,
I require and charge you, (as you will answer at the dreadful day of judgment, when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed,) that if either of you do know any impediment why ye may not be lawfully joined together in Matrimony, that ye confess it. For be ye well assured, that so many as be coupled together otherwise than God's word doth allow, are not joined of God, neither is their Matrimony lawful.
At which day of Marriage, if any man do allege any impediment why they may not be coupled together in Matrimony; and will be bound, and Sureties with him, to the parties; or else put in a Caution to the full value of such charges as the persons to be married do sustain, to prove his allegation: then the Solemnization must be deferred unto such time as the truth be tried.
If no impediment be alleged, then shall the Curate say unto the Man,
N. Wilt thou have this Woman to thy wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort Her, honour, and keep her in sickness and in health and, forsaking all other, keep thee only to her so long as you both shall live?
The Man shall answer,
I will.
Then shall the Priest say to the Woman,
N. Wilt thou have this Man to thy wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou obey him, and serve him, love, honour, and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only to him, so long as you both shall live?
The Woman shall answer,
I will.
Then shall the Minister say,
Who giveth this Woman to be married to this Man?
And the Minister, receiving the Woman at her father or friend's hands, shall cause the Man to take the Woman by the right hand, and so either to give their troth to other; the Man first saying,
I N., take thee N., to my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us depart: according to God's holy ordinance: And thereto I plight thee my troth. [plight = mid-13c solemn promise; troth = truth; plight thee my troth = I promise I am being truthful.]
Then shall they loose their hands; and the Woman, taking again the Man by the right hand, shall say,
I N. take thee N. to my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and to obey, till death us depart: according to God's holy ordinance: And thereto I give thee my troth.
Then shall they again loose their hands; and the Man shall give unto the Woman a Ring, and other tokens of Spousage, as gold or silver, laying the same upon the Book. And the Priest, taking the Ring, shall deliver it unto the Man: to put it upon the fourth finger of the Woman's left hand. And the Man, taught by the Priest, shall say,
With this Ring I thee wed: this gold and silver I thee give: with my body I thee worship: and with all my worldly goods I thee endow. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Then the Man leaving the Ring upon the fourth finger of the Woman's left hand, the Minister shall say,
Let us pray.
O Eternal God, Creator and Preserver of all mankind, Giver of all spiritual grace, the Author of everlasting life: Send thy blessing upon these thy servants, this Man and this Woman, whom we bless in thy Name; that as Isaac and Rebecca (after bracelettes and jewels of gold given of thone to thother [ = the one to the other] for tokens of their matrimony) lived faithfully together, so these persons may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant betwixt them made, whereof this Ring given and received is a token and pledge. And may ever remain in perfect love and peace together: and live according to thy laws: through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Then shall the Priest join their right hands together, and say,
Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder.
Then shall the Minister speak unto the people.
Forasmuch as N. and N. have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same here before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their troth either to other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving gold and silver, and by joining of hands: I pronounce that they be Man and Wife together. In the Name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
Amen.
And the Minister shall add this blessing.
God the Father bless you. + God the Son keep you: God the Holy Ghost lighten your understanding. The Lord mercifully with his favour look upon you; and so till you with all spiritual benediction and grace, that you may have remission of your sins in this life, and in the world to come life everlasting.
Amen.
