2007-03-26 03:23:45 · 6 answers · asked by just me.. 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
Yes, they were throughout the countries of Europe but most important in Roman marraiges per Wikipedia.
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A dowry (also known as trousseau) is a gift of money or valuables given by the bride's family to the groom's at the time of their marriage.[1] It has been regarded as contribution of her family to the married household's expenses.
In societies where payment of dowry is common, unmarried women are seen to attract stigma and tarnish the family reputation, so it is in the bride's family's interest to marry off their daughter as soon as she is eligible[citation needed]. In some areas where this is practiced, the size of the necessary dowry is directly proportional to the groom's social status, thus making it virtually impossible for lower class women to marry into upper class families. In some cases where a woman's family is too poor to afford any dowry whatsoever, she is either forbidden from ever marrying, or at most becomes a concubine to a richer man who can afford to support a large household. Dowries have been part of civil law in almost all countries, Europe included. Dowries were important components of Roman marriages.
The opposite direction, property settled on the bride by the groom, is called dower. Normally the bride would be entitled to her dowry in event of her widowhood, prior to the evolution of her dower rights; so common was this that the terms "dowry" and "dower" are sometimes confused.
2007-03-26 03:48:23 · answer #1 · answered by jerzybuckeye 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No there wasnt, but people when marrying their daughters used to give something as the assets for her comfort which is lately taken as a form of dowry.
2007-03-26 10:56:48 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, and I think it's something like dishes, definitely a quilt, a few other things, and money if she has any.
Unlike the dowry system in India, it's not as bad and bloody. There, getting your daughter married would cost you a fortune.
2007-03-26 10:41:29 · answer #3 · answered by Benvenuto 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
can i ask you somthing....whats a dowry?
2007-03-26 10:26:25 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
no, but the brides fam,ily traditionally pays for the whole wedding
2007-03-26 10:27:06 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yea
2007-03-26 10:26:06 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋