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.
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.