Dowry

A dowry - the money or property a bride brings to her husband at marriage - was common throughout much of the ancient world, and also flourished in medieval Europe. In many places around the world, weddings are formal occasions, accompanied by gift-giving and rituals. The practice of dowries apparently originated when a bride's parents gave her presents. Over time, the dowry developed various functions. A dowry of household goods often helped the newlyweds set up their own home. A dowry of property or jewelry would help the wife support herself if her husband died. Generally, the husband returned the dowry to his in-laws if he and his wife divorced or if his wife died childless. Sometimes the groom's family paid for the bride, often to compensate her family for the money spent raising her. If the bride had been a valuable worker, her family was sometimes compensated for the loss of her financial support.