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Throughout the Middle Ages, many English Churches used the Sarum Rite, which although largely similar to the Roman Rite had some differences. The following are excerpts from a Sarum Rite marriage ceremony. The vows bring us back to an older form of the English language spoken by ordinary people. Of special note is the old form of the vow offered by the woman, to be “bonny and buxom – that is, good and obedient.

A Marriage Ceremony from the Sarum Missal

Let the man and the woman be placed before the door of the church, or in the face of the Church, before the presence of God, the Priest, and the people; let the man stand on the right of the woman, and the woman on the left of the man, because she was formed from the rib of the left side of Adam. Then let the Priest ask the banns, and in the hearing of all, let him say in the mother tongue:

Brethren, we are gathered together in the sight of God and His angels, and all the saints, in the face of the Church, to join together two persons [now saying their names] to wit, this man and this woman (here let him look upon them), that whatsoever they may have done aforetime henceforth they may be one body, yet two souls, in the faith and law of God, to the end they may together attain eternal life.

Then let him instruct the people in the mother tongue, thus:—

I charge you all, by the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost, that if any of you know any cause why these two persons cannot lawfully make contract of matrimony, he do presently confess it.

[The bride and groom are then separately charged to admit any impediment. In case any impediments are raised, the marriage is paused until an inquiry can be made and the truth established. Assuming no impediments arise, the priest goes on and turns first to the man.]

[His name] wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded wife; wilt thou love, honour, hold, and cherish her, in health and in sickness, as a husband should a wife, and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?

Let him answer—

I will.

Then let the Priest say unto the woman—

[Her name] wilt thou have this man to thy wedded husband, wilt thou obey and serve him; love, honour, and cherish him in a health and sickness, as a wife should a husband, and forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?

Let her answer—

I will

Then let the woman he given by her father or a friend; if a maid, with her hand uncovered; if a widow, covered; [and then the two speak their vows]

Ich [his name] take the [her name] to my wedded wyf, to haven to holden fro this day forward, for betre for wors, for rychere for porere in syknesse and in helthe, til deth us departe, and thereto y plith the my trwethe.

Then let the woman say, after the Priest—

Ich [her name] take the [his name], to my wedded hosebund, to haven and to holden fro this day forward, for betre for wors, for rychere for porere, in siknesse and in helthe, to be boneyre and buxum in bedde and at borde, till dethe us departe, and thereto y plith the my trwethe.

[Then the silver ring is blessed with holy water and the groom takes the bride by the hand, and says:]

With this ryng ich the wedde, and with my body ich the honoure, and with al my gold ich the dowere.

And then let the Bridegroom put the ring on the thumb of the Bride, saying—

In the Name of the Father; (on the first finger) and of the Son; (on the second finger) and of the Holy Ghost; (on the third finger) Amen.

And there let him leave it, because in that finger there is a certain vein which reaches to the heart; and by the purity of the silver is signified the inward affection which ought ever to be fresh between them. Then, whilst they bow their heads, let the Priest say a blessing over them—

Blessed be ye of the Lord, Who made the world out of nothing. Amen.

[A selection from the Psalms and some responses follow, after which the Priest prays over the couple. Here are two of the prayers.]

Look down from Heaven, O Lord, and bless this congregation ; and as Thou sentest Thy holy Angel Raphael to Tobias, and to Sarah, the daughter of Raguel, so vouchsafe, O Lord, to send Thy blessing upon these young persons, that they, obeying Thy will and alway being in safety under Thy protection, may live, increase, and grow old in Thy love; and may be worthy, and peacemakers, and that the length of their days may be multiplied.

And another prayer: 

Favourably regard, O Lord, this Thy servant and this Thy handmaid, that in Thy Name they may receive a heavenly benediction, see the children of their sons and daughters to the third and fourth generations in safety, ever remain steadfast in Thy will, and at length attain unto the Kingdom of Heaven.

(Adapted from A. Harford Pearson M.A. B.C.L. translation)