Medieval Marriage

Lady Annlin Stromherz read the letter her father had handed to her with a stern face. It was long a full of polite language, but the bottom line was that count Bergritter had accepted the marriage contract her father had proposed, to marry Annlin to Count Bergritter's son.

Annlin was already 19 years old and had known it was high time for her to marry. Men who had brought the letter also, presented a painting of the young man she was supposed to marry. He had proud pose in armor at the painting, with sword held high, but his face looked skinny. Annlin knew him to be 5 years her senior, but the supposedly fresh painting made him look younger.

She didn't want to marry this man but kept her stern face as she handed the letter back. She knew her tears would not make her father change his mind. The only way would be to give him an intelligent argument against this pact, and she couldn't figure out any. It was a great match both for her and for her family.

Annlin's father was just a baron, so a match with a count's heir was great for her. Count Bergritter's family was one of the oldest in the realm and had high standing for his station. The ruled area that had three towns, many fields and even some iron mines. They had a long military heritage and some respect even in imperial court. It was said count Bergritter had 150 knights in his household and with lesser lords and landed knights sworn to him, could summon almost 250 horsemen and 5000 footmen to fight for him.

On the other hand, there had been peace in the empire for the last almost 50 years and the upkeep of those knights was costly. There had been few bad harvests and count was rumored to be in dept.

Annlin's family on the other hand was relatively knew nobles, they had ruled their lands for less than 200 years. It was much smaller land, containing just one town at the side of a river and a few villages. Land was not suitable for big farms and the only knighted people in their household were Annlin's father and elder brother. But Annlin's father had invested in trading boats. That river connected to one of the biggest rivers running through the empire and he had managed to get into that trade. And made a fortune.

So, the alliance was sound. Bergritters would get some gold and cheap access to those trade routes while Stromherzs would get their military backing in case of war and connections to higher nobility at the courts of the realm. And Annlin's children would one day be a count.

As a noble woman, she couldn't choose her husband, but she could choose how she met him.

Lord Sigwin Bergritter stood at the castle courtyard as the carriage that brought his bride halted. He was nervous as he had never expected to marry at all and had little experience with women. He had been born third son of his father, when he was already over 40. He had been a sickly child and never grew strong or was any good in arms training his father appreciated. There had been talk to send him to a monastery to be a monk since he was 12.

That had been postponed, when his oldest brother had died in a tourney accident and he had been pushed up to second in line. He would only go after his second brother was married and had a son of his own. That had never happened as two years ago his second brother had died in same fever that also took their mother. Sigwin was suddenly inheriting his father, even though everyone knew he was not up for the task. He suspected that his sire mourned that as much as a loss of a wife and a son.

So far, he had been proven an unsuitable heir, not learning much from the late training his father tried to give him for ruling. But being the heir also meant he needed a wife and now his father had found him one.

He watched as a handmaiden in a simple dress stepped out from the carriage. She was maybe Sigwin's age or a few years older. Her skin was copper and her black hair was held in a tight braid. She was taller than average woman, close to his own height, though he was a short for a man. Most notable part was her chest that really was something to admire.

Handmaiden helped her mistress down from the carriage. She was a short, skinny woman, but pretty all the same. Her hair was auburn and was held in a fashionable halocrown that left the rest of her hair to drop down to her shoulders. Her chest was not as formidable as her servant's, but still some breast showed under her red and white dress. She kept her gaze down, seeming shy and as nervous as Sigwin felt.

"My lady, I'm Sigwin Bergritter. Welcome to my... I mean my family's castle" Sigwin said stepping forward.

Lady Annlin noticed her future husband before he stepped forward. The painting had indeed been flattering. This man was no warrior; his arms were almost as skinny as hers and he was shorter than the painting had suggested. His face was more cute than handsome and his hair more sunburn hay than shining gold the painting had shown.

"Nice to meet you, my lord" Annlin said shyly and gave a quick curtsey. "Would you give us some servant to show me your room? Travel has been long"

"Uh... yes, of course! Bren! Will you show my lady to my room?"

"Yes, my lord!" servant he had talked to bowed quickly.

"Thank you, my lord" Annlin nodded her head, then followed the servant into the castle, leaving her future husband standing on the courtyard. He seemed to be unsure if he should follow them or not and before he made his mind, they had vanished into the castle.