The History of Handfasting

When it comes to the history of handfasting, there’s a lot to unpack and a lot of unknowns.

Let’s quickly recap…

What is handfasting?

Handfasting is a type of ancient wedding ceremony, which originated in the British Isles and in northern Europe.

The core part, and the reason why it is called a handfasting is that during the ceremony, the couple will have their hands tied together with ribbon. This signifies the union they are entering into.

There is, of course, a lot more to a handfasting than tying a bit of ribbon round a couple’s hands, but that is a different blog. (Link at the bottom)

For now, let’s look at the origins and the history of handfasting: What we do know. What we don’t know. And where we’ve filled in the gaps.

Did the Vikings bring handfasting to the British Isles?

Intriguing as this common belief is, it’s most likely a myth rather than real history of handfasting. And here is how we know this:

The Irish law of couples, the Cain Lanamna, covers all possible ways of legally getting married in Ireland including handfasting. It was written around 700 A.D, nearly 100 years before the Viking invasion.

That doesn’t mean the Vikings did not have a similar tradition. However, it sure shows that the Viking invasion of the late 8th century had nothing to do with the beginning of the handfasting traditions on our isles.

But what about the history of handfasting on rest of the Isles?

Records in Scotland and England do not go back as far as in Ireland. However, records from the Middle Ages mention handfasting. And it is way more likely that the tradition crossed the Irish sea before the Vikings arrived, don’t you think?

Fun fact: one of these records in England describes our very own bard, William Shakespeare, attending the handfasting of his landlord and landlady’s daughter as a witness in 1604. But we will get to that shortly.

Handfasting in Scotland

Looking at the written records about Scotland, handfastings appeared to have been a legal form to wed from at least the 12th until the 17th century. Some records suggest that this was a type of trial marriage that only lasted one year. At the end of this period, the couple would decide whether to make the commitment permanent or go their separate ways.

Officially, the Kirk of Scotland, banned the practice of handfasting in 1575. There are however later records that still describe handfasting ceremonies taking place in the Esk River region and the western Scottish Isles.

Handfasting in England

In England, the Jacobeans and the Elizabethans regarded handfasting as a legal and legitimate wedding ceremony rather than a trial period.

As I said earlier, Shakespeare attended one, and the poet John Donne had himself been married in a handfasting ceremony.

Handfasting was also described by Judge Henry Swinburne in 1711 as a legitimate wedding ceremony. However, the marriage act of 1753 formalised wedding ceremonies, ending the practice of handfasting in England.

Modern-Day Handfasting

With exception of largely amalgamated practices and folklore, paganism did not survive the Norman conquest. Meaning old traditions have been largely lost or they lost their context. Meaning the early history of handfasting is likely to remain a bit obscure.

While being interested in paganism seems to have been the cool thing to do in Victorian times, paganism as religious practice re-emerged into the public eye only after the repeal of the witchcraft act in 1951.

Modern practitioners like Gerald Gardener, who established Wicca in England, revived the practice of handfasting in wedding ceremonies.

Because of this, handfasting is often equated with pagan weddings. But this is only half of the story.

Handfasting is also becoming more and more popular with non-pagan couples who want to make their wedding ceremony meaningful to them by incorporating old non-churchy traditions.

That’s it! A summery on the history of handfasting

The Vikings brought us great ships and great beards*, but probably not the tradition of handfasting.

The marriage for one year and one day seems to have been exclusive to Scotland.

And modern handfasting practices have been established since the middle of the 20th century by pagans and non-pagans alike.

Want to know more? I can help…

There is a lot more knowledge I can share with you. Depending on where you are on your wedding – or rather handfasting – planning journey, I will have a helpful blog for you

If you never heard of a handfasting, then my blog What is a handfasting? is a perfect starting point for you.

If you are already planning your own handfasting, my blog Is a handfasting legally binding in these 8 countries? (Be prepared to be very surprised! ) will be helpful.

But if you are planning a handfasting, why not make sure you have a photographer who knows what’s going on! It’s the way to save you time during planning (no hours of explaining) and ensuring no important photos are missed. As luck would have it, I am the Specialist Handfasting Photographer UK and EU.  The easiest way to find out how I can help is via my contact form.

*Whether it is true that the Vikings had great beards, I don’t know. It might be another “Hollywood Fact”…so don’t quote me on this one please.

Bright blessings,

Specialist Alternative and Pagan Handfasting Photographer UK & EU