Post by Admin on Jun 25, 2016 21:19:56 GMT -5
Marriages are arranged by the head of the family and are done to ensure strong bonds with neighbors and allies. Like most of Archades, marriages are done for the purposes of business, and rarely out of concern for love and affection. While some compatibility is encouraged, it is not absolutely necessary if the marriage is for the good of both families. The people of Estersea are generally a pragmatic and down to earth sort of people. As such, most tend to view marriage as practical arrangement rather than one of love. One can seek the latter just as easily and more realistically elsewhere.
The typical marriageable age in Estersea is approximately 16, though marriages could be conducted as early as 14 with parental blessing. Betrothals can be arranged at nearly any age, but unlike in many regions, in Estersea, if the betrothal does not look to be successful once both parties reach marriageable age, it can be severed or altered without considerable consequence for reasons of health, religious calling, or death.
Betrothals last a minimum of one year’s time during which the bride is fostered with the groom’s family for one month per season to learn the family’s ways, to get to know her prospective husband, and to prepare for the marriage. Once the betrothal is settled, the couple is brought before a priest of the Duality and their hands are bound together with a braid of ribbons that reflect both families’ House colors, and an oath is sworn to honor the forthcoming marriage.
Among the noble families, a dowry is offered for the bride, but the groom’s family also pays a bride price. In Estersea, these items are not paid in gold, silver or jewels, but in goods that alternately show the ability of the groom’s family to support the couple, and to furnish the newlyweds’ new home. The wedding feast is typically hosted by the bride’s family, while the home for the couple is provided by the groom’s family, but it is customary for the groom’s family to assist in providing for the feast.
Weddings are conducted at either the harbor or the shore of the great sea at low tide by a priest of the Duality. To persuade Delios and Delias to bless husband and wife, an offering of bread, salt, wine and flowers is cast into the water once the vows are spoken to be carried out with the tide.
Marriage is ended only by death. Estersea does not permit divorce, though separation does occur rarely. The concept of the family is sacred in Estersea, and when it is violated, those involved find themselves shunned for their failure to honor their vows and responsibilities as spouse and/or parent.
The typical marriageable age in Estersea is approximately 16, though marriages could be conducted as early as 14 with parental blessing. Betrothals can be arranged at nearly any age, but unlike in many regions, in Estersea, if the betrothal does not look to be successful once both parties reach marriageable age, it can be severed or altered without considerable consequence for reasons of health, religious calling, or death.
Betrothals last a minimum of one year’s time during which the bride is fostered with the groom’s family for one month per season to learn the family’s ways, to get to know her prospective husband, and to prepare for the marriage. Once the betrothal is settled, the couple is brought before a priest of the Duality and their hands are bound together with a braid of ribbons that reflect both families’ House colors, and an oath is sworn to honor the forthcoming marriage.
Among the noble families, a dowry is offered for the bride, but the groom’s family also pays a bride price. In Estersea, these items are not paid in gold, silver or jewels, but in goods that alternately show the ability of the groom’s family to support the couple, and to furnish the newlyweds’ new home. The wedding feast is typically hosted by the bride’s family, while the home for the couple is provided by the groom’s family, but it is customary for the groom’s family to assist in providing for the feast.
Weddings are conducted at either the harbor or the shore of the great sea at low tide by a priest of the Duality. To persuade Delios and Delias to bless husband and wife, an offering of bread, salt, wine and flowers is cast into the water once the vows are spoken to be carried out with the tide.
Marriage is ended only by death. Estersea does not permit divorce, though separation does occur rarely. The concept of the family is sacred in Estersea, and when it is violated, those involved find themselves shunned for their failure to honor their vows and responsibilities as spouse and/or parent.