KaE Lore: Marriage and Courtship Practices in Nareth. (Patreon)

While working on KaE, I really wanted to avoid the weird bs that usually comes when writing or researching medieval marriages.

Biggest being the age gap of the parties.

There's the Formal and Informal societal expectations so far.

Formal means legally enforced, whereas informal isnt legally enforced.

REMEMBER, THIS IS FOR THE NOBILITY. THE EXPECTATIONS AND RULES ARE DIFFERENT TO THOSE FOR THE COMMONFOLK.

Informal:

• Marriage is typically considered after you become 20.

• Courtship (ie dating and the like) is acceptable and not frowned upon before 20.

• Homosexual relationships are accepted (moreso in the empire than Argent) before 20.

• Betrothals can be arranged early. Courtship between the two parties is encouraged.

• Sex is expected in late teens, but having a child out of wedlock will result in shame and dishonor. The child will always be treated as a bastard, and the mother and father as loose and immoral. There will be difficulty in finding marriage offers and acceptance.

• A betrothal and marriage pact is considered holy, and is considered the domain of Saint Helseth. When the promise is made, his name is invoked.

• Betrothals are considered informal and non-binding if both parties are below the age of 16.

Formal:

• If a betrothed is caught courting someone who is not their promised, the betrothed's family has the right to nullify the betrothal at no penalty.

• If two betrothed's activities result in a pregnancy, that child is considered not a bastard, and the two promised are instantly considered married.

• Marriage between teens younger than 16 is illegal, but marriage between teens older than 16 is simply frowned upon.

• Betrothals are official and binding when both parties reach the age of 16.

• Marriages usually take place in the days of March and September. The church takes in marriage registrations, and assigns the highest ranked pair to be wed on the Equinox of each month for the most auspicious date. It is believed this would bless the couple with the Goddess's favor for their marriage to be happy and steadfast. If there are more than one pair of similar high rank, the pairs will then be married on the same day together to avoid insulting one over the other.

• Marriage between, and with, children is outlawed. Sex with a child by an adult is outlawed. Forcing a child into sex work is outlawed. This is enforced as Canon Law. This is known as St. Karvenir's Decree. To break this will invite the wrath of the church, and the penalty is death. The administrators of this punishment is carried out by the Templars. Legally, one is considered a child if they are not yet 16. Once they reach 16, they are legally considered teenagers, and are under the protection and guidance of their guardian, parents, or sponsor.

• Marriage without the consent of both parties is outlawed, and is enforced as Canon Law. If during the time of marriage one of the spouses-to-be reject the marriage, the wedding is cancelled. The Templar present then defends the one who rejected the marriage from the wrath of the families and enters the protection of the church. They then have the choice of leaving the Church's protection, or joining. This is known as St. Hytera's Decree. to impede against the Templar's duties, will invite the wrath of the church.

• A dowry comes alongside the spouse marrying into the new family. This is to remain in their possession, and is to be used in the event of widowhood or other extreme circumstances. If the Minor Spouse dies, whatever funds, property, and incomes pass to their children. If there are no children, the assets go to whoever is on the will, and if there is no will, the assets reverts to the Minor Spouses family. The Major Spouse may not use these assets without the written permission of the Minor Spouse, and if broken, the Minor Spouse may ask the Church to intervene. If found guilty, the Minor Spouse can divorce the Major Spouse without penalty, and is entitled to a sum chosen by the presiding judge and priestess.