Agreement shows true cost
A MARRIAGE agreement of a Reedness couple dating back over 520 years has been unearthed by East Riding Archives and shows the true cost of marriage.
The wedding document of John Baildon and Margarete Haldenby is from July 24, 1490, and show the expenses occurred by the respective fathers.
The agreement helped to bind John’s father Walter Baildon and Margarete’s father Robert Haldenby, to the payment of various costs.
Walter was expected to clothe the bridegroom, pay for a hogshead of wine at the ceremony and give the newlyweds 10 marks to help them set up home.
Robert was to clothe the bride, pay for dinner at the wedding and buy them meat and drink for three years afterwards.
As father of the bride, he also had to pay Walter a dower of £53 (about £27,000 in today’s money).
Sam Bartle, collections officer at East Riding Archives, based at the Treasure House in Beverley, said: “These agreements were very common amongst wealthy landed families as huge sums of money and valuable property were involved.
“Although this wedding was particularly expensive, I think many people today can still identify with the financial burden that was placed on Walter and Robert all those centuries ago.”
The full agreement can be viewed at the Treasure House in Beverley.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Goole
Thursday 23 May 2013
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 5 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 5 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 28 mph
Wind direction: North east
