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 24 A HISTORY OF THE CRUSADES IV 
 Ibn-Jubair describes a Frankish wedding and the bride very prettily. The
guests, both men and women, formed two lines while entertained by trumpet
and flute music as they waited. The bride appeared, supported on each side
by male relatives, in a dress which had a train of golden silk. On her hair
and across her breast she also had a net of woven gold, held on the head
by a gold diadem. She walked "like a dove, or. . . a wisp of cloud." The
men walked before her and the women came after. The musicians led the procession
to the groom's house, where there was feasting which lasted all day. 162
Philip of Novara had described such a feast, doubtless of more prominent
people, that continued for a fortnight, varied by tourneying, dancing, and
the wearing of fine clothes. 163 The betrothal requirements are recorded
in the Assises: the future groom swears "on the saints" that he has no living
wife and no other fiancee, and two companions take the same oath for him;
the woman swears that she has no living husband; the date for the solemnization
of the marriage is then set. Banns were cried for three days at the first
mass. 164 In such a land of violence, where fighting men died daily, there
were a multitude of young widows; a widow could take le ten de plor, so that
for a whole year she was not obliged to marry a new husband. 165 
 We can say in general that the routine of men in the crusader states did
not vary greatly from that to which they were accustomed at home. 166 One
rose early, not long after dawn (sometimes before), and doubtless began the
day with some liquid refreshment. Some individuals then went to mass, seldom
receiving the Eucharist more than once a year except on a special occasion.
Several hours of work could then be put in, followed by a little leisure
before the principal meal at the end of the morning. This meal, usually about
an hour in length, was followed by a siesta, when the individual was quiet
or actually took a nap. Then came relevee and the afternoon work period,
followed by supper at vespers, with entertainment, and after that might come
study or reading. This kind of routine was not very exacting. Hunting, buying
in the markets, even writing, provided variation. When there was fighting,
or when a journey had to be made, these necessities became the chief occupation
of the day. Even 
162. Ibn-Jubair, pp. 320-321: "this alluring sight, from the seducement of
which God 
preserve us." 
163. Philip of Novara, p. 3. 
164. "Assises de Jerusalem," II, 111-112. 
165. William of Tyre, p. 1029. 
166. See Holmes, Daily Living, for further information on daily routine.