Cryin’ Siller

The money paid to the Kirk for calling the banns was known as cryin’ siller.  The word wed means pledge.  Those wishing to marry had to leave a pledge or a pawn, either money or clothing, which was forfeited if a penny wedding with music and dancing took place, as the Church disapproved.  If the event was called off the pawn went into the poor-box.  In some fishing communities it was a pledge against wild behaviour.