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Simple English definitions for legal terms
handfasting
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A quick definition of handfasting:
Handfasting is a type of marriage that can mean different things. In the past, it was a marriage where the couple joined hands to make a contract, or a betrothal followed by a formal marriage. Nowadays, it can also refer to a trial marriage where the couple agrees to live together for a certain period before deciding whether to stay together or have a permanent ceremony. Some modern pagan religions also practice a binding form of handfasting.A more thorough explanation:
Definition: Handfasting is a type of marriage that has different meanings depending on the context. It can refer to:
- A historical form of marriage where a couple joined hands to make a marriage contract, often without the involvement of clergy.
- A historical form of betrothal where a couple agreed to be married and had conjugal rights, but did not have a formal marriage ceremony until later.
- A modern form of trial marriage where a couple agrees to live together and behave as spouses for a set period, usually one year, after which they can decide to separate or have a permanent ceremony.
- A binding form of marriage practiced by some modern pagan religions.
Examples:
- In historical Scotland, handfasting was a common form of marriage where a couple would join hands and make a marriage contract in front of witnesses. This was often done without