The Methods and Means of Marriage
Mar 6, 2013 2:22:00 GMT -5
Post by Grandmaster on Mar 6, 2013 2:22:00 GMT -5
How Marriages Work in Demeria:
All marriages are subject to approval; no one marries without permission, whether it's the blessing of a parent, a liege lord, or the King.
Betrothals can be agreed upon without regard to the age of the bride and/or groom. However, no marriage may be performed until both bride and groom are at least sixteen years of age.
Members of Vassal Houses (not including the Lord/Lady of the House) must obtain their Lord's approval to marry *prior* to proposal.
Vassal House Lords/Ladies must obtain their Duke's approval to marry.
Dukes must obtain the Crown's approval to marry.
Once permission is obtained, the terms of the marriage should be worked out - the bride's dowry, the bride-price (a gift of the groom's family to the bride's for the privilege of marrying her), the length of betrothal, from where the bride will be married (in her family's city, in the groom's), and the contract signed. The priest will then witness the betrothal.
Betrothals can last for days, weeks, months or years. It is at the discretion of the families. Weddings are often large, elaborate and formal affairs that are grand celebrations.
How Marriages End in Demeria:
Marriages can either be made in heaven or hell. Getting out of them requires something a little more... complicated. In Demeria, there are a few ways in which a marriage ends:
- Death of the spouse. While murder obviously occurred, killing one's spouse is profoundly frowned upon. Natural causes are much better.
- Annulment - where the marriage is declared as never existing. This requires not only the blessing of the Crown, but the Church and must have a compelling reason. A marriage unable to be consummated, a marriage in name only to offer protection, marriage without permission of the ruling noble, proof of bigamy or extreme abuse all constitute reasons for annulment.
- Divorce - Extremely rare in Demeria, the burden of proof for divorce rests with the petitioner. Infidelity is not deemed adequate reason for divorce. However, if one spouse is confirmed as physically abusive to his/her partner and/or children, has committed significant crimes, or in very rare occasions, the one spouse has significantly voided the marriage contract, a petition to the King can be filed.
Note: Neither separation (willingly living apart) nor abandonment (one spouse moving out, 'abandoning' the marriage without the other's consent) end a marriage.
All marriages are subject to approval; no one marries without permission, whether it's the blessing of a parent, a liege lord, or the King.
Betrothals can be agreed upon without regard to the age of the bride and/or groom. However, no marriage may be performed until both bride and groom are at least sixteen years of age.
Members of Vassal Houses (not including the Lord/Lady of the House) must obtain their Lord's approval to marry *prior* to proposal.
Vassal House Lords/Ladies must obtain their Duke's approval to marry.
Dukes must obtain the Crown's approval to marry.
Once permission is obtained, the terms of the marriage should be worked out - the bride's dowry, the bride-price (a gift of the groom's family to the bride's for the privilege of marrying her), the length of betrothal, from where the bride will be married (in her family's city, in the groom's), and the contract signed. The priest will then witness the betrothal.
Betrothals can last for days, weeks, months or years. It is at the discretion of the families. Weddings are often large, elaborate and formal affairs that are grand celebrations.
How Marriages End in Demeria:
Marriages can either be made in heaven or hell. Getting out of them requires something a little more... complicated. In Demeria, there are a few ways in which a marriage ends:
- Death of the spouse. While murder obviously occurred, killing one's spouse is profoundly frowned upon. Natural causes are much better.
- Annulment - where the marriage is declared as never existing. This requires not only the blessing of the Crown, but the Church and must have a compelling reason. A marriage unable to be consummated, a marriage in name only to offer protection, marriage without permission of the ruling noble, proof of bigamy or extreme abuse all constitute reasons for annulment.
- Divorce - Extremely rare in Demeria, the burden of proof for divorce rests with the petitioner. Infidelity is not deemed adequate reason for divorce. However, if one spouse is confirmed as physically abusive to his/her partner and/or children, has committed significant crimes, or in very rare occasions, the one spouse has significantly voided the marriage contract, a petition to the King can be filed.
Note: Neither separation (willingly living apart) nor abandonment (one spouse moving out, 'abandoning' the marriage without the other's consent) end a marriage.