Medieval Slavic Marriage Laws
Sex and Society in the World of the Orthodox Slavs by Eve Levin
Jun 17, 2006
Review of Sex and Society in the World of the Orthodox Slavs, 900-1700,
Eve Levin,
Cornell University Press, 1989
Marriage in the World of the Orthodox Slavs
Arranged child marriages were very common between 900 and 1700 ad. Eve Levin outlines several reasons why these might be to the benefit of families and society:
- Children could be married before the onset of puberty. Therefore, any sexual experimentation would happen within the marriage bond.
- Early marriages eliminated the chance of the bride being pregnant before her wedding ceremony
- Married couples would not bear the full burden of providing for themselves; they would have help from older members of the family.
- Children, not yet autonomous beings, would respect their parents' wishes more readily than they would when they were older and more independent.
- Women would bear children when they were at the prime age to do so. They would be able to care for children when they were still healthy and strong.
Remarriage
Remarriage was discouraged, but often adults were permitted up to three marriages during a lifetime. However, second and third marriages were regarded with suspicion. The wedding ceremonies were accompanied, not by celebration, but by prayers for forgiveness of sin. In addition, penance and fasting was required; the number of years' penance to be done increased with the number of previous marriages.
As first marriages were usually arranged, it was through second marriages that couples could pursue more personal interests. While the family was still a major deciding body over the choice of spouse, adults interested in remarrying often did so with some degree of self-interest. Otherwise, they could join the church and practice monastic celibacy.
