OrderingFamilies,Neighborhoods,andCities 147
bride had come in procession, that of her spouse. Couples took vows in their
temporary or future home, the place where they would rear their chil-
dren—or perhaps before a notary, if there was some money involved, since
marriage was very much a legal transaction. This kind of informal ceremony
was probably typical of all but the most wealthy.^31 A nuptial Mass might be
added, said by the priest, whose presence to witness the vows was prescribed
by the canons, even if the marriage was still considered valid were he ab-
sent.^32 It might conclude with an exchange of rings, the veiling of the bride,
and the ceremony of tying the couple together with a red-and-white pleated
cord, which symbolized their union of body and spirit.^33 In the rare cases
when the Lombard law was followed, the wife gave her husband a sword as
a sign of submission, instead of participating in the Roman mutual exchange
of rings.^34 In the case of families with extraordinary prestige or influence, the
bishop himself might witness the vows. Lottieri della Tosa, bishop of Faenza,
did so for Maurino di fu Domenico of Bologna and Giacomina di fu Alberto
Cavini of Trentola on 6 May 1291.^35 But such solemnity was rare; Bishop
Lottieri records only three such marriages in his daybook.^36 In any case,
along with the parents, crowds of invited friends and relatives came to wit-
ness the profession of vows.^37 But now we are in the world of the socially
prominent and politically powerful.
When Donna Mabilia, daughter of Count Lodovico of San Bonifacio,
married in Reggio on the Friday before Septuagesima Sunday in 1283 , the
couple professed their vows at the count’s house. They immediately went to
hear the Mass of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the Franciscan church.^38 A
luncheon banquet followed on the grounds of the church of San Giacomo.
This marriage was typical, if more sumptuous than usual. After the vows the
typical couple went, in procession, to the church. This procession, in which
the families of both bride and groom partook, manifested even greater pomp
than the earlier one of the bride. Twelve horsemen and four footmen might
accompany the couple to church.^39 Although the pair might request some
other votive Mass according to their personal devotion, the liturgical books
- I thank Prof. Katherine Jansen for reminding me of this.
- The question whether Lateranivrequired a priest to witness the vows has now been resolved in
the negative by David d’Avray, ‘‘Marriage Ceremonies and the Church in Italy After 1215 ,’’Marriage in
Italy, 1300 – 1650 ,ed. Tevor Dean and K. J. P. Lowe (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1998 ),
107 – 15. - Gratian,Decretum,C. 3 q. 5 c. 7 ; for Spain, see Attilio Carpin,Il sacramento del matrimonio nella
teologia medievale: Ad Isidoro di Siviglia a Tommaso d’Aquino(Bologna: Studio Domenicano, 1991 ), 14 , 40. I find
no evidence for or against such ceremonies in the Italian communes. - Airaldi, ‘‘Matrimonio,’’ 224.
- Lottieri della Tosa,Il codice di Lottieri della Tosa,ed. Giovanni Lucchesi (Faenza: Banca Popolare
di Faenza, 1979 ), doc. 159 ( 6 May 1291 ), p. 134. - Ibid., doc. 169 , pp. 140 – 41 ; doc. 176 , pp. 144 – 45.
- Pisa Stat.ii( 1313 ), 3. 59 , pp. 352 – 53 , limits the witnesses to twelve from each family.
- Salimbene,Cronica, 750 – 51 , Baird trans., 523 ; Alberto Milioli,Liber, 561.
- Pisa Stat.ii( 1313 ), 3. 59 , pp. 352 – 53 ; Ferrara Stat. ( 1287 ), 6 ,p. 400 , allows twelve to accompany
the bride, thirty the groom.