Probably seemingly innocent and pleasant towards his wife but, in practice, if she didn't fulfil hers she would be denegrated and have to pay for her ommissions whereas he would get away with almost anything he liked. Audrey ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ruth Barton" <mrgjb@sover.net> To: "norman.lee1" <norman.lee1@virgin.net>; <OLD-ENGLISH-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, September 14, 2004 4:11 PM Subject: Re: [OEL] 14th century wedding vowels > Nothing like the wives of today. I wonder what the husband's vows were? Ruth > > > > > At 9:02 AM +0100 9/14/04, norman.lee1 wrote: > >Had another thought about 'burde'. I think it would mean board which was the > >word for table. So this would mean that she promised to behave herself well > >in bed, be obedient to her husband's wishes and desires and also to be > >obedient when serving at the table and doing other housewifely things. > > > >Audrey > -- > Ruth Barton > mrgjb@sover.net > Dummerston, VT >