In England up to the 13th century marriage was conducted as a simple handfasting ceremony witnessed before family and friends - then it was decreed it had to be witnessed before a clergyman or magistrate - there are at least two 13th century known examples of male couples holding a handfasting ceremony (before the clergyman/magistrate as witness provision was introduced).
Last edited by Steve Mangan; 07-01-2015 at 06:55 PM.
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