“In all gudly haste”: The Formation of Marriage in Scotland, c. 1350-1600 by Heather Parker A thesis presented to the University of Guelph In partial fulfilment of requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philsophy in History Guelph, Ontario, Canada © Heather Parker, March 2012 ABSTRACT “IN ALL GUDLY HASTE”: THE FORMATION OF MARRIAGE IN SCOTLAND, C. 1350-1600 Heather Parker Advisor: University of Guelph, 2012 Elizabeth Ewan This dissertation examines the formation of marriage in Scotland between the mid- fourteenth century and the late sixteenth century. In particular, it focuses on betrothals, marriage negotiations, ritual, and the place that these held in late medieval Scottish society. This study extends to the generation following the Reformation to examine the extent to which the Reformation influenced the marriage planning of wealthy Scots. It concludes that much of the social impact of the Reformation was not reflected in family life until at least a generation after reform. Scottish society and culture was influenced both by contemporary literature, which discussed the role of marriage formation, and by concurrent events involving high-profile marriages. These helped to define the context of marriage for society as a whole. This work relies heavily on the pre-nuptial contracts of lairds (the Scottish gentry) and nobles, which reflected certain aspects of their marriage patterns and strategies. The context and clauses of an extensive group of 272 Scottish marriage contracts from published and archival collections illuminate aspects of the formation of Scottish marriage, such as the land and money that changed hands, the extent to which brides and grooms were influenced by their kin, and the timelines for betrothals. This study is the only comprehensive work that has been done concerning the formation of marriage in medieval Scotland. The Campbells of Glenorchy and the Carnegie family both provide excellent case studies in which to examine the process of the choice of marriage partners, negotiation of marital arrangements, and the solemnizing of the unions. They also demonstrate the extent to which families were upwardly mobile through marriage. Although, until now, there has been a focus on the political potential of arranged marriage in Scotland, it is clear that there were social and financial advantages to kin groups that carried out careful marriage planning. iv Acknowledgments This research project did not emerge in a vacuum but was inextricably linked to work both in my undergraduate and masters’ studies. I owe a large debt of gratitude to Cynthia Neville, who taught me how to glean social history from legal sources, and Steve Boardman, who understood the impact of marriage contracts on the histories of the lairds and nobility. My initial design for this research was shaped in large part by the feedback and direction of Elizabeth Ewan. Her enthusiasm and readiness to provide advice have been a constant throughout every aspect of this dissertation. Susannah Ferriera, Steven Bednarski, and Peter Goddard all provided suggestions and commentary at various stages of the research. Jodi Campbell, Suzette Blom, Pat Bowley, Lisa Cox, and Rochelle Pereira all provided suggestions for portions of my writing, not to mention keeping me grounded through the ups and downs of a PhD. Jane Dawson’s feedback on the final draft of my dissertation have been invaluable, and her especial attention to the material on the Campbells of Glenorchy has ensured that I iron out many of the wrinkles in the narrative. The Social Science and Humanities Research Council funded this work. Additionally, the support of the St Andrew’s Society of Toronto and the Jane Nelson Stirling Cairns Grier award allowed me to spend the necessary months at the National Archives of Scotland in Edinburgh. My detailed research on the Carnegies of Kinnaird is due entirely to the generosity of David Carnegie, Earl of Southesk, who not only provided access to his family’s archives but also facilitated my research. v I owe my parents, Barb & Kevin Parker, a debt of gratitude not only for their unwavering support and gentle encouragement throughout my studies but for their practical assistance as well. My mother’s proficiency in copy-editing is second to none and has helped to ensure a nearly error-free manuscript; the remaining errors are, of course, my own. My father’s understanding of statistical methodology and computing and his willingness to teach a novice enabled me to provide the in-depth analysis in chapter four. Last but not least, this project is much improved for the patience, companionship and good humour of my husband, Ian Robson. Writing about other peoples’ spouses has given me the perspective to understand how fortunate I am. vi Table of Contents Acknowledgments .................................................................................................................. iv Introduction ................................................................................................................ 1 Sources .................................................................................................................... 5 Methodology ......................................................................................................... 13 Theory ................................................................................................................... 20 Chapter 1: The Historiography of Marriage and the Family ......................................... 22 Marriage & the Family in Europe ........................................................................... 22 The History of Marriage and Family in Scotland ..................................................... 27 Conclusion ............................................................................................................. 65 Chapter 2: The Legal ConteXt of Marriage ................................................................... 68 Scots Law in the Early Middle Ages: Land, Succession, and Marriage ..................... 70 The Development of the Canon Laws on Marriage ................................................. 72 Scots Law in the High & Later Middle Ages ............................................................ 96 Changes in the SiXteenth Century ........................................................................ 101 Conclusion ........................................................................................................... 113 Chapter 3: Selecting Spouses: the Individual and the Community ............................. 115 Personal and Parental Choice .............................................................................. 117 Advice Literature & Poetry .................................................................................. 126 The Choice of a Spouse ........................................................................................ 139 Conclusion ........................................................................................................... 156 Chapter 4: Negotiations & Solemnization ................................................................ 158 Early Negotiations ............................................................................................... 159 Elements of a Contract ........................................................................................ 169 Dispensations ...................................................................................................... 192 Completing the Marriage ..................................................................................... 201 Conclusion ........................................................................................................... 211 Chapter 5: The Campbells of Glenorchy: MiXed Marriage Strategies ........................ 214 The World of the Campbells of Glenorchy ............................................................ 215 Early Campbell Marriages .................................................................................... 222 The Marriages of Colin and Katherine’s Children ................................................. 226 Conclusion ........................................................................................................... 240 Chapter 6: The Carnegies of Kinnaird: Local Lordship and Marriage .......................... 242 The World of the Carnegies of Kinnaird ............................................................... 242 The Pre-Reformation Marriage Contracts ............................................................ 246 vii The Post-Reformation Marriages ......................................................................... 249 Marriage Patterns ............................................................................................... 260 Conclusion ........................................................................................................... 263 Conclusions .............................................................................................................. 267 AppendiX: Transcribed Documents ........................................................................... 276 Contract of Anne Montgomery and Robert Cunningham ..................................... 276 Contract of Alexander Strachan and Margaret Strachan ...................................... 279 Letter from Annas Campbell to Duncan Campbell, laird of Glenorchy .................. 284 Letter from James VI to laird of Abercairny, Halyrudhous ...................................