The Versatility of Raven Black Velvet Witch Hats

The raven black velvet witch hat is a classic accessory that embodies the essence of witchcraft and Halloween. Its deep black color and the softness of the velvet fabric give it an air of elegance and mystery. This hat is an iconic symbol of witches, often depicted in literature, films, and other forms of media. It is said to possess magical powers and can be used to amplify a witch's abilities, making it a sought-after item for those practicing witchcraft. The raven black velvet witch hat is typically tall and pointed, with a wide brim that adds to its dramatic effect. The hat's shape is reminiscent of a cone, with a pointed tip that adds to its allure.

The fire and flowers made it seem like there was magic at work. But after I sent her my money, I discovered this qualifier at the bottom: “NO DECENT SPELLCASTER WILL EVER GUARANTEE A SPELL WILL WORK,” along with a list of why spells may not work, ranging from “too complex of a situation” to “too much negative energy.”

But out there in the hot late spring, amidst all the rage over all the death that never should have happened, but also amidst the shared faith that together we could still create a better future from the rubble, I felt something that I can only call hope. In England some people did marry near churches to give greater spiritual weight to proceedings, often at the church door leading to some rather fabulous church porches being added to earlier buildings , but this still did not necessarily involve a priest.

The hat's shape is reminiscent of a cone, with a pointed tip that adds to its allure. It is often embellished with various accessories such as feathers, ribbons, and buckles, enhancing its aesthetic appeal. These decorations can vary depending on personal preference, but they all contribute to the hat's magical aura.

Love and marriage in medieval England

Getting married in the medieval period was incredibly simple for Christians living in western Europe – all they had to do was say their "I do's" to each other. But, as Sally Dixon-Smith reveals, proving that you were actually married might be another thing altogether.

Here, Sally explores how exactly medieval people got married.

Medieval marriage practice continues to influence ceremonies today – from banns [the reading three times of your intention to marry] to declaring vows in the present tense. Indeed, the word ‘wedding’ itself even dates from the medieval period. However, some things were very different.

Couples did not need to marry in a church – they could get married down the pub, round at a friend’s house or even in bed

In the Middle Ages, getting married was easy for Christians living in western Europe. According to the church, which created and enforced marriage law, couples didn’t need the permission of their families or a priest to officiate. However, while tying the knot could take a matter of moments, proving that you were wed often proved difficult.

Although the church controlled – or tried to control – marriage, couples did not need to marry in a church. Legal records show people getting married on the road, down the pub, round at a friend's house or even in bed. All that was required for a valid, binding marriage was the consent of the two people involved. In England some people did marry near churches to give greater spiritual weight to proceedings, often at the church door (leading to some rather fabulous church porches being added to earlier buildings), but this still did not necessarily involve a priest.

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You could get married as soon as you hit puberty – and parental consent was not required

Marriage was the only acceptable place for sex in the medieval period, and as a result Christians were allowed to marry from puberty onwards, generally seen at the time as age 12 for women and 14 for men. Parental consent was not required. When this law finally changed in England in the 18th century, the old rules still applied in Scotland, making towns just over the border, such as Gretna Green, a destination for English couples defying their families.

The wedding of saints Joachim and Anne, considered to be the parents of Mary, the mother of God. Codex of Predis (1476). (Photo by Prisma/UIG/Getty Images)

Although the medieval church upheld freely given consent as the foundation of marriage, in practice families and social networks usually had a great deal of influence over the choice and approval of marriage partners. It was also normal at all levels of society to make some ‘pre-nup’ arrangements to provide for widow- and widowerhood and for any children. It was also expected that everyone would seek the permission of their lord, and kings consulted over their own and their children’s marriages. Marriage between people of different classes was particularly frowned upon.

Having sex created a legally binding marriage

There were various ways in which a medieval couple could use words or actions to create a marriage. Consent to marry could be given verbally by ‘words of present consent’ – no specific phrase or formula was required. A ‘present consent’ marriage did not have to be consummated in order to count. However, if the couple had agreed to get married at some point in the future and then had sex, this was seen as a physical expression of present consent.

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So, for engaged couples, having sex created a legally binding marriage. Consent could also be shown by giving and receiving an item referred to English as a ‘wed’. A ‘wed’ could be any gift understood by those involved to mean consent to marry but was often a ring. A ‘wedding’ where a man gave a woman a ring and she accepted it created the marriage.

Married or not married?

It is clear that there were misunderstandings. It could be difficult to know if a couple was married and they might even not agree themselves. The statutes issued by the English church in 1217–19 include a warning that no man should “place a ring of reeds or another material, vile or precious, on a young woman's hands in jest, so that he might more easily fornicate with them, lest, while he thinks himself to be joking, he pledge himself to the burdens of matrimony”. The vast majority of marriage cases that came up before the courts were to enforce or prove that a marriage had taken place.

Marriage mix-ups bothered the clergy since, after much debate, theologians had decided in the 12th century that marriage was a holy sacrament. The union of a man and a woman in marriage and sex represented the union of Christ and the church, and this was hardly symbolism to be taken lightly.

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You didn't need witnesses

As God was the ultimate witness, it was not necessary to have a marriage witnessed by other people – though it was highly recommended to avoid any uncertainty. There was also a church service available, but it was not mandatory and the evidence suggests that only a minority married in church. Many of those couples were already legally married by word or deed before they took their vows in front of a priest.

Divorce was not an option

Divorce as we understand it today did not exist. The only way to end a marriage was to prove it had not legally existed in the first place. Christians could only be married to one person at a time and it was also bigamy if someone bound to the church by a religious vow got married. As well as being single and vow-free, you also had to be marrying a fellow Christian. Breaking these rules automatically invalidated the marriage.

The marriage feast at Cana, early 14th century. (Photo by The Print Collector/Print Collector/Getty Images)

You couldn't marry a relative – even if you only had a great-great-great-great-great-grandparent in common

There were also a number of other ‘impediments’ that should prevent a marriage going ahead, but might be waived in certain circumstances if the marriage had already taken place. Couples who were already related were not to marry. The definition of ‘family’ was very broad. Before 1215, anyone with a great-great-great-great-great-grandparent in common was too closely related to get married. As this rule was hard to enforce and subject to abuse – the sudden discovery of a long-lost relative might conveniently end a marriage – the definitions of incest were changed by the Fourth Lateran Council in 1215, reduced to having a great-great-grandparent in common.

As well as blood kinship, other ties could also prohibit marriage. For instance, godparents and godchildren were not allowed to marry as they were spiritually related, and close ‘in-laws’ were also a ‘no-no’.

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There was no ‘speak now or forever hold your peace’

Reading the ‘banns’ was introduced as part of the 1215 changes to try to flush out any impediments before a marriage took place. Nevertheless, until the Reformation there was no ‘speak now or forever hold your peace’. In the Middle Ages problems discovered or revealed after the marriage could have an enormous impact. For example, Joan of Kent (who later married Edward the Black Prince and become the mother of the future king Richard II) was married in her early teens with full publicity and a church service to an aristocrat, but after about eight years this marriage was overturned in the papal court and she was returned to a knight she had secretly married without her family’s knowledge or approval when she was 12.

It is difficult to know how many medieval people married for love or found love in their marriage. There was certainly a distinction between free consent to marry and having a completely free choice. What is clear is that the vast majority of medieval people did marry and usually remarried after they were widowed, suggesting that marriage was desirable, if only as the social norm.

Sally Dixon-Smith is Historic Royal Palaces' collections curator at the Tower of London and has written a chapter on marriage for Ian Johnson’s Geoffrey Chaucer in Context (Cambridge University Press, 2016).

To watch Sally's lecture on love and marriage in the Middle Ages – plus other talks on medieval food, violence and religion – click here. These lectures were recorded as part of our free virtual Medieval Life and Death History Festival, which ran in May 2020

This article was first published by HistoryExtra in 2016

The Enchanted Land/Etsy

Wearing the raven black velvet witch hat can make anyone feel empowered and connected to the world of witchcraft. It serves as a fascinating fashion statement and a symbol of individuality. The hat provides individuals with the opportunity to express their own personal style while simultaneously embracing the mystique of witches. Whether donned as part of a Halloween costume or worn by those practicing witchcraft, the raven black velvet witch hat remains a timeless accessory that continues to captivate the imagination. Its symbolism, elegance, and intriguing history make it a beloved item among those intrigued by the world of witches and magic. This hat has the power to transform any outfit or occasion, allowing individuals to exude a sense of enchantment and intrigue..

Reviews for "Expressing Your Witchy Side: Raven Black Velvet Witch Hats"

1. Jane - 2 stars - The Raven black velvet witch hat was a huge disappointment for me. The quality of the material used was quite poor, and it looked cheap and flimsy. Additionally, the hat did not have a good fit - it was too loose and kept sliding off my head. The feathers on the hat were also not attached securely and started falling out after just a couple of wears. Overall, I was not satisfied with this purchase and would not recommend it to others.

2. Mike - 1 star - I was extremely dissatisfied with the Raven black velvet witch hat. The color was not as vibrant as depicted in the product photos, and it looked faded and worn out. The hat did not have a sturdy structure and kept losing its shape, which made it impossible to wear comfortably. The stitching on the hat was also very poor, with loose threads sticking out everywhere. In my opinion, this hat was a complete waste of money and I regret buying it.

3. Sarah - 2 stars - The Raven black velvet witch hat did not live up to my expectations. The sizing was completely off - I ordered the recommended size, but it was too small and did not fit my head properly. The material used for the hat was also of subpar quality and felt very cheap. The feathers on the hat were not as full as shown in the product images, and some were already falling out when the hat arrived. Overall, I was unimpressed with this hat and would not purchase it again.

A Witch's Must-Have: Raven Black Velvet Hats