Matchmaker, Make Me a Match

I read The Irish Matchmaker by Jennifer Deible not long ago, and it made me curious about matchmakers in history.                                                                                                                                                                                                              

One definition I found: Matchmaking is the process of pairing two people together, usually for the purpose of marriage, in which case the intermediary or matchmaker is also known as a marriage broker. Matchmaking may be done as a profession for a fee or it may be done by clergy.

This also makes me think of the Jewish matchmaker, or shadchan, who was responsible for finding suitable matches for young men and women and also acted as mediator in the negotiation of the marriage contract.

One article I read said God was the FIRST matchmaker. I can't argue with that. A lot of matchmaking has gone on throughout history. Monarchs made decisions for their subjects based on what was best for their kingdom. Queen Elizabeth I was noted for that. 

                                                                 Queen Elizabeth I

Parents looked for connections that would raise their social, political and

economic status as well as increase land holdings. This was true all around the world. Here are a few example from the the ancient world.      

           

                                                           Watercolor Painting of Chinese Wedding Ceremony

In ancient China, arranged marriages were deeply traditional. The matchmaker, usually a woman, was considered sacred. Her success was tied to the reputation and prosperity of the families she served. Her job was to bring good fortune by aligning families based on social status, compatibility and astrology. The Hindu culture also employed the use of astrology.

Roman Wedding

In ancient Rome, marriages were arranged to form alliances between powerful families giving them both political and economic advantages. These matchmakers understood the importance of lineage, wealth and influence. Their job was to secure a union that benefited not only individuals, but whole bloodlines.

                                                                   Greece Wedding

 Ancient Greece also used matchmakers, always women, who were essentially go-betweens. When parents hired a matchmaker, she approached the family of interest, then carried messages back and forth as well as sharing her opinion on the worth of the prospective mates. It could be a risky position if things didn’t go well.

                                                             Aztec Wedding Ceremony

The Aztecs also had matchmakers. One article described her as being involved from start to wedding night. After making the match she preformed the ceremony which included tying an article of the man's and woman's clothing together. At the end of the day she put them to bed.

                                                                 

                                                                Late 19th Century Couple

The book that started me on this search for information is set in a village in 1900, Ireland. There were a lot of reasons why a man or woman would hire a matchmaker. A farmer might want a wife to help him on his farm. A man might need a mother for his children. A woman might be in need of a husband for the first time or need someone to provide for her and her children. A man or woman might hire a matchmaker because they needed to broaden the number of people they had to choose from. 

A matchmaker would organize dances, picnics and walks to provide a place for people to meet. That would be especially important for young people living isolated on a farm with no way to meet anyone other than sitting in church for an hour or two once a week. As in the past, the matchmaker was mediator and negotiator until everyone was happy.


If you're interested, you can still find a matchmake many places in the world including the United States. For a large sum of money they will find you the perfect mate.

In my book, Heart’s Desire, Julia’s father betroths her to a man to cover a secret. Arranged marriages weren't typical in 1880 Boston. She is left to figure out a way to marry a man she loves rather than the one her father has chosen.

About Linda Hoover

 

Linda, a retired librarian, lives in west central Ohio with her husband and grandson. An avid reader and writer since childhood, she began her publishing career writing columns and a middle-grade serial for the South Charleston Spectator. Her desire is to entertain, but more importantly, to encourage readers with God’s faithfulness.

You’re invited to visit her website. Browse the pages to learn more about her and her books. Stay in touch when you sign up for her newsletter and you’ll receive a free novella as a thank you.

https://lindahooverbooks.com

                                                                                                                    

Famous Horses in History -- Bucephalus (355-326 BC) with giveaway by Donna Schlachter

Alexander and Bucephalus, by John Steell (Wikipedia)

I grew up loving horses, and I loved reading about horses, so I thought that might be a good theme for this year—12 Famous Horses in History. Even if you aren’t horse-mad, there will be horses you’ll recognize by name or reputation, and I felt that learning more about history could be wrapped into the stories of these equines.

I don’t know about you, but whenever I hear Bucephalus, I always think of Father Brown’s trusty bicycle, as that was his name for it. In fact, the first time I heard him refer to it by that name, I had to look up the word, as I hadn’t heard of this horse before.

Bucephalus was born around 355 BC in Greece, and ultimately became the horse that Alexander the Great rode into many battles.

As the story by Plutarch goes, when Alexander of Macedonia (as he was known before he became a soldier), made a wager at the age of 12 or 13 with his father, who was a horse dealer. King Philip II was interested in the young Bucephalus, but he proved impossible to subdue. Alexander said he could do it, and if he didn’t, he’d pay the price for the horse.

Alexander taming Bucephalus by B.R. Haydon (Wikipedia)

 

 

After studying the horse, he realized the beast was shy of its own shadow, so he turned the stallion toward the sun so it couldn’t see what scared it. Others who’d tried to tame the animal had shouted and used harsh language, but Alexander spoke soothingly, and the horse responded. After ditching his fluttering cape—another trigger for the beast—Bucephalus responded to him.

In the legend that comprises much of the history of Alexander, King Philip II was so impressed that he told Alexander that Macedonia was too small for a man such as he, and for him to seek out a kingdom equal to and worthy of his gifts.

A second legend, the Alexander Romance, claims that Bucephalus was given to Philip and resided on his estate. Bucephalus was said to possess heroic attributes that exceeded those of Pegasus, and another romance by the Delphic Oracle tells Philip that the man who rides Bucephalus will be king of the world.

Alexander the Great mosaic (Wikipedia)

 

 

Whatever the truth about his origins and his abilities, Bucephalus was so named because of a mark on his haunch in the shape of an ox head. Overlay large and with a massive head, he bore a black coat and a white star on his brow. He had one blue eye, which was an anomaly, and he was “of the best Thessalian (Greek) strain” of horses.

Alexander’s hero was Achilles, and indeed, he claimed to be an ancestor of his. In so doing, he included his skill and ability with horses as a result of his godly origins. Achilles claimed that his horses were immortal because Poseidon gave them to his father Peleus, who in turn passed them along to him.

However, that immortality did not continue with Bucephalus, and he died in June 326 BC following the Battle of Hydaspes, from mortal injuries sustained in the fight. Alexander and his army defeated King Porus, but he lost his favorite mount.

Seleucos I Bucephalos coin (Wikipedia)

 

In memoriam, he founded a city, Bucephala, on the west bank of the Hydaspes River, in modern-day Pakistan. Today the town is called Jalalpur Sharif, and Bucephalus is said to be buried there.

The reputation of the horse grew alongside that of his master, with different legends claiming they were born at the same time, and later stories claimed they died at the same hour, but mostly these tales are viewed as fictional.

Alexander and Bucephalus by Domenico Maria Canuti (Wikipedia)

 

 

No matter the details, there is no doubt Alexander treasured Bucephalus, and most likely, his lineage is present in our modern-day horses.

Leave a comment about your like or dislike of horses, and I will draw randomly for a free ebook of “Hollenberg Hearts”, a Pony Express story. Cleverly disguise your email address so the bots don’t get you, for example: donna AT livebytheword DOT com

About Hollenberg Hearts:
A mail order bride. A crippled stationmaster. No way out for either of them—except with each other. Can they surrender their hearts and find true love?

https://www.amazon.com/Hollenberg-Hearts-Pony-Express-Book-ebook/dp/B098VZ38XY and the rest of the Series: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B098WRMTM3

About Donna:
A hybrid author, Donna writes squeaky clean historical and contemporary suspense. She has been published more than 60 times in books; is a member of several writers' groups; facilitates a critique group; teaches writing classes; and judges in writing contests. She loves history and research, traveling extensively for both, and is an avid oil painter. She is taking all the information she’s learned along the way about the writing and publishing process, and is coaching committed writers eager to tell their story.

www.DonnaSchlachter.com

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Resources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bucephalus  

With This Symbol, I Thee Wed

 By Kathy Kovach

Let's go way back into history. The date was July 12, 1975. An epic day, at least in my life, when I wed the cute boy from church. Okay, 46 years may not be way back there, but it does give me the opportunity to highlight the time honored tradition of marriage.

Specifically, the ring.

This tiny piece of metal, (or leather, or twine, or thimble...more on that later,) really packs a punch in the symbolism trade. Let's take a stroll—to the tune of the Wedding March—through the years to explore this trinket of love.

We'd have to travel back some 3000 years to Egypt to find the first wedding ring. Several symbols were attributed to it because, well, ancient Egyptians loved to attach meaning to inanimate objects. The design of the ring meant no beginning and no end. A pledged love throughout eternity. The circle reminded them of the sun and moon, which they worshipped. Today, we could say the sun and moon represent our heavenly Father and His Son. The empty space within the circle was said to be a pathway to the unknown as the happy couple stepped into the future together, naïve and probably a little frightened. They wore this symbol on the fourth finger of the left hand, just as we do today, with the belief that the vein in that finger is directly connected to the heart. We know now this isn't correct, but the sentiment is lovely and worthy of continuing today.

The tradition continued into Greece and later into Rome. The material varied, with copper and iron most prevalent. In some cases, a key motif was worked into the metal to symbolize that the wife was now in control of the household goods. By the 2nd century CE, gold had become the preferred metal.

On into Medieval times, the gems themselves carried significance. Sapphires symbolized the heavens, rubies were for passion, and diamonds reminded one of steadfast strength. Of course, diamonds did hold steadfast, especially thanks to marketing in the 1950's where we were told diamonds are a girl's best friend.

Amongst all this talk about gold and shiny gems, the Puritans went the practical route. A thimble was given as a pledge of love. The new bride accepted it in the sweet way that Wendy presented the kiss—or thimble— to Peter Pan. The puritan bride then went on to sew items for the couple's new home. Once that was done, her groom would often cut off the top of the thimble for her ring. Now, I'm as pragmatic as the next gal, but give me a sparkling bauble and I'm good.

The Hebrew nation eventually adopted the ring from the countries in which they lived. However, they kept them free of jewels or intricate embellishment. Rather, the idea of a simple gold band held monetary value, as could a coin, property deed, or any other token of worth. The groom was not buying his bride as his property, but more precisely buying her intimacy, sealing the contract that she agrees to be with him and him alone. Traditionally, the ring had no gems, as the ring itself was to be presented as the true worth. Once precious stones were finally allowed, they needed to be of the finest quality, and not imitation. For the union itself should be pure as the purest gold, free of distractions, and simple in its faith between two people and their God.

Symbolism is an excellent way to ground one's belief. Yes, we've exchanged rings, but what does that mean? They are a reminder that our marriage is to be steadfast and true, free from distractions, and intimate in its very nature.

James and Kathleen, July 12, 1975

Happy 46th anniversary, my love! 

MissAdventure Brides Collection
Seven daring damsels don’t let the norms of their eras hold them back. Along the way these women attract the attention of men who admire their bravery and determination, but will they let love grow out of the adventures? Includes:
"Riders of the Painted Star" by Kathleen E. Kovach

1936 Arizona
Zadie Fitzpatrick, an artist from New York, is commissioned to go on location in Arizona to paint illustrations for an author of western novels and falls for the male model.

Kathleen E. Kovach is a Christian romance author published traditionally through Barbour Publishing, Inc. as well as indie. Kathleen and her husband, Jim, raised two sons while living the nomadic lifestyle for over twenty years in the Air Force. Now planted in northeast Colorado, she's a grandmother, though much too young for that. Kathleen is a longstanding member of American Christian Fiction Writers. An award-winning author, she presents spiritual truths with a giggle, proving herself as one of God's peculiar people.

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Sisters That Changed History - Athena and Artemis

Blogger: Amber Schamel

 Today we're continuing our exploration of sisters in history. If you missed last month's post on Leah and Rachel, you can find it here.

Athena

 

Athena (known as Minerva to the Romans) and Artemis (Diana) were the mythical daughters of Zeus in Greek Mythology. While these two figures are either legends stretched to extraordinary proportions or complete products of imagination, they did affect history, as we will see.

Athena, considered the goddess of wisdom, handicraft, and war, was the principle deity of the Greek Capital of Athens. She is best known for the story of her...ahem...unusual birth. As the story goes, her father Zeus swallowed her mother after she became pregnant for fear of her bearing a son that would threaten his reign. Afterward, he developed such a horrible headache that he begged a friend to split his skull with an ax to relieve the pressure. When his friend obliged, Athena sprang full-grown, wearing weapons and armor, from the slit in his head. Of course, such tales are of little interest to us, except for the fact that they had a tremendous influence upon the Greeks as well as Romans, who in turn influenced the entire world. Especially America. Here’s why.

According to the myth, Athena ended up being Zeus’s favorite child and was given great power. She was widely worshiped but is most commonly remembered for the city of Athens which emerged about the time that Greece went from monarchy to democracy. The city of Athens seemed to be an intricate piece in the development of democracy in Greece, the form of which greatly influenced the founding fathers when they set up the United States as a republic. Had it not been for this goddess which, “protected the city and inspired restraint and practical insight,” Greece may never have become the world influence that it has.

The temple built to her is also a part of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World and was a religious hub for the Greeks. 

Depiction of Athena's Birth

The city of Athens is also mentioned in the Scriptures. In Acts chapter seventeen, Paul is visiting Athens when he notices an inscription “to the unknown god.” His heart was grieved for the idolatry of the people and he delivered one of his most famous sermons here.

Artemis/Diana

Artemis, the huntress, was Athena’s sister, as well as the twin of Apollo. She was known as the goddess of nature and fertility, also possessing power over all forms of wildlife and even the moon. She was the principle deity of Ephesus, and there was a temple there dedicated to her. This temple also became one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World.

So great was the influence of this goddess, especially in Ephesus, that the businessmen of the city became enraged when Christians began missionary work in the area. The Scriptures (in Acts chapter 19) record the incident where the silversmiths enrage the entire city against Paul for preaching against the goddess. They proclaim:

“Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.

Moreover, ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands:

So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.”
Whom all Asia and the world worships. So then, the influence of this mythical woman must have been great at the time. Some scholars also argue that Artemis was a “savior goddess” which would have made the preaching of Christ as Savior even more offensive to the Ephesians. Still, many in Ephesus were converted to the truth and one of the epistles recorded in the Holy Scriptures was addressed to them.

Ephesus Coin with Artemis' Image

It also seems that this figure was the inspiration behind fairies and nymphs. In more current times, she is considered the “feminist goddess”.

So we see that these two sisters, while they were mythical, still affected the culture of ancient times and even beyond. They generated commerce, inspired temples that became icons, dictated the lives of those who worshiped them, influenced their thinking, and had cities dedicated to them that became major in the Christian movement.

If a “legend” or imaginary character can do that, what more could you and I? 

*****

Author of over half a dozen books, Amber Schamel writes riveting stories that bring HIStory to life. She has a passion for travel, history, books and her Savior. This combination results in what her readers call "historical fiction at its finest".  She lives in Colorado and spends half her time volunteering in the Ozarks. Visit her online at www.AmberSchamel.com/ and download a FREE story by subscribing to her Newsletter!