The Brideprice

By David Masselink

Once apon a time, a young man compensated his future bride's parents for taking her from them to his own family. This revealed her value to him -- and set the tone for the marriage. A woman from a wealthy family expected a hefty brideprice -- and knew that, if it were paid, she could expect an equal voice in the marriage. A peasant, on the other hand, was lucky if anything at all was offered.

The transaction was done with the woman's parents: the agreed-apon price was paid, and the woman turned over on the spot. Much dishonesty from both parties was avoided this way. But sometimes, among the very wealthy, the man paid the price and the woman was invited to join him later. How much freedom she had at this point revealed the level of trust she could expect in the marriage. As you can imagine, this invitation was rarely extended and very much abused.

But this is that story.

• Language: English
• Publisher: David Masselink
• Release date: May 27, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463085189

David Masselink

David Masselink is a writer. He figured he couldn't make a living writing in Prince Edward Island, so he moved west. For many years, he earned a living in Los Angeles, and had no time to write. So he invented an hour at the beginning of the day, writes short stories, and dreams of moving east where the days are a little longer.

Book preview

THE BRIDEPRICE

by David Masselink

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2003 David Masselink

He had paid the brideprice. Yacinda, sitting motionless on the edge of her bed with hands folded, considered it a thousand times. He could not, he would not…

Her eyes flicked to a small pile of much-handled paper on the simple wood nightstand beside her bed and she silently amended her last thought.

It was not proper! She returned her gaze to the floor in front of her. A tear gathered in one eye, but she did not move. This Whillam, did he not know? The highborn simply did not associate with serfs. Had he no sense of his own