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Originally published in the Fall AS XXXIII (1998) issue of Slovo, Volume IV, Issue 1 (#12)
For those of you who missed it (and those of us who couldn't hear over the storm going on), here is a synopsis of the Russian Betrothal ceremony which was held this Pennsic.
The betrothal ceremony began with a brief explanation of what was going to take place for those who didn't realize what they had walked in on. After explaining that Paul only understood English and that the Russians were only speaking "Russian" with Mordak providing translation between the parties, the Amateur Slavic Players, as I like to call ourselves, got down to business (for those of you not in the know, this was all rather ironic due to the fact that Paul was the only one among the cast that was fluent in Russian).
The cast: the blushing bride, Ilyana Barsova; the unctuous uncle, Mordak Timofei'evich Rostovskogo; the greedy bridegroom, Paul Wickenden; the meritorious matchmaker, Yelizaveta Medvedeva; and the scrupulous scribe, Peotr Alexeivich.
Mordak and Paul went over the items they had previously worked out concerning the betrothal and negotiated some final details. Paul wondered about the size of the dowry and sought some more details from Mordak. Paul was concerned if Ilyana could count or not and if she could handle servants and manage a household efficiently. Mordak assured him that not only could she count, she had been taking care of one of his estates for quite a few successful years. Ilyana also knew how to properly discipline the servants and would be sure only to bruise, not maim. Paul replied that he had heard that Russians were good at this sort of thing. Paul asked for more dowry, especially now that he would have three more mouths to feed (see contract below). Mordak promised him many sable and beaver furs, which Paul could sell. Paul complained that his wife would only be speaking gibberish and Mordak placated him with silk fabric and jeweled and pearled garments, which he then displayed for all to see. The deal was finally cinched when Mordak assured Paul he would receive 100 head of cattle. Or rather, he said not to worry about it. Hmm....
The matchmaker, acting on behalf of the bride's welfare, expressed concern over how Ilyana would suffer spiritually, particularly since as a good Orthodox, she was not allowed in the heathen churches that filled Paul's land. Mordak translated this for Paul (telling him that all the fuss was merely over some 'female matters') and assured the women that the Priest had given permission for Ilyana to attend the churches in Paul's land, but only in order to keep her mother-in-law company as a dutiful daughter-in-law should. The scribe then read the (finally) completed document and Mordak translated what was being read to Paul. At this point the rain started to come down very heavily (an omen perhaps?). Paul wanted to make certain that the 100 head of cattle were included in the document and Mordak once again said, "don't worry, it will be taken care of." The two parties signed and all rejoiced (except maybe the bride, who now has to go to some heathen land and learn a foreign tongue and put up with this dirty, smelly, unwashed 'Aangleeshmun' and his mother. Oi!).
Many thanks to the kind gentle who didn't know he would be roped into taping the ceremony for us (sorry, I can't remember who did this) and also big thanks go to everyone who gave us the unexpected betrothal gifts: to Yelizaveta for the facsimile copy of Fletcher's Of the Russe Commonwealth, to Maria Piekneplotno for the embroidered Polish linens, to the gentle who gifted us with the homebrew (potent stuff, since Paul forgot your name) and to anyone else we have carelessly forgotten.
One last request, would anyone who took pictures of the betrothal please send us copies?! We forgot to take any stills!
An Agreement for the Marriage of Ilyana Barsova to Paul Wickenden of Thanet
Lo, I, Mordak Timofei'evich Rostovskogo, uncle to Ilyana Barsova, have issued this memorandum, to him, Paul Wickenden of Thanet. I, Mordak, have agreed to give my niece in marriage to him, Paul. And I bless my niece with the Mercy of God: icons of the Most Holy Mother of God, and of the Blessed Saint Ol'ga; jewelry and pearls; embroidered linens for household use; tableware and glass vessels. And I also give for the dowry my two servant women, Marfitsa and Anusia, who are unmarried.
In addition, I give dowry clothes: a jeweled and pearled feriaz, wrought with goldwork, and many yards of silken fabrics. Also sables and other precious furs.
And I, Mordak, am to give my niece to him, Paul, to be married on the Day of the Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God, and if I, Mordak, at that assigned date, do not give my niece, then I, Mordak, am to give my niece at another date, on Mikhailov day. And if I, Mordak, on these two dates which are written in this memorandum do not give my niece Ilyana to be married to Paul, or if Paul does not arrive to claim as his bride Ilyana, then the offending party will pay the other 50 grivna.
And Peotr Alexeivich, scribe, wrote this memorandum, at Mordak's order. To this agreement did Mordak Timofei'evich Rostovskogo and Paul Wickenden of Thanet affix their hands.
A late note: The contract and concerns of the family are based on period examples.Please tell me what you think about the wedding idea
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