The Price of Marriage to a Princess

In the common view, marriages were made for dynastic reasons. Decisions of dowry were important and a virgin bride might find herself wed to anyone. And she'd better be a virgin, or face the wrath of a trip to court! Perhaps the marriage cemented an alliance, perhaps it was made with a neighbor so as to join kingdoms. Marriage to the right person, followed by the death of relatives could make someone very lucky and rich. According to Hywel the Great's Book of Law, a princess cost 24 pieces of gold, and that was only the beginning. Dowry could also include land, animals, jewels, even kitchen pots. As a song now says: "What's Love Got to Do With It?"

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