Betrothal and Wedding Rings

18 pages in this part of Finger-Ring Lore.

It would be difficult to find a subject more interesting in all its associations than a wedding-ring. From the most remote times it has had…

The same idea is conveyed in some lines by Woodward (1730) 'to Phœbe, presenting her with a ring : '- Accept, fair maid, this earnest of my…

However, like everything, humanly speaking, the wedding-ring has had its vicissitudes, and, from being the emblem of all that is pure and…

Another equivocal pretence for engagement was the ring of St. Martin,¹ so named from the extensive franchises and immunities granted to the…

Perhaps one of the smallest wedding-rings on record is that which is mentioned in the fiançailles of the Princess Mary, daughter of Henry…

Rings were formerly placed on the missal book, with money at marriages ; thus in the 'Wardrobe Book,' roll 18, of Edward the First, there…

In Southerne's 'Maid's Last Prayer' (Act iv. vol. i. p. 67) we find:-'Marry him I must, and wear my wedding-ring upon my thumb, too, that…

The objections of the Dissenters to the ring in marriage were answered by Dr. Comber, ('Office of Matrimony,' &c., folio edition, part 4,)…

Some Roman keys attached to rings, so as to be worn on the fingers, and which are well known to antiquaries, were recently found at Water…

Leo Modena, in his 'History of the Rites, Customs, and Manner of Life of the Present Jews throughout the World' (translated by Edm…

A ring of gold, enamelled and decorated with five blue enamelled rosettes and five filigree bosses. The roof only of the temple surmounts…

A loadstone sometimes was set instead of a jewel, indicative of love's attractions. Later, however, Tertullian and Isidore, Bishop of…

Graceful mistresse, our nuptiall day holds.' • With happy constancye a wished day.' In the 'Merchant of Venice' Bassanio and Gratiano give…

The ring ceremony in Russian marriages differs materially from that of English usage. In the first place, there are two rings, and these…

A ring in the Londesborough Collection illustrates this passage. It parts into three hoops, secured on a pivot; 1 Jointed betrothal ring…

This practice of dividing the betrothal rings has its origin from ancient times, and reminds us of the practice among the Franks of…

The betrothal or wedding ring of Sir Thomas Gresham (1544) engraved in Burgon's life of that eminent merchant prince, opens horizontally…

The clasped hands (originating from the ancient Romans), adopted on the gemmel-rings, we are told in Charmbers's 'Book of Days,' are still…