Christians Clashed with Anglo-Saxon Customs over Consent

"Another aspect of Germanic [read Anglo-Saxon] marriage practices which stemmed from the familial control over marriage, and which was problematic in the eyes of the church, regarded consent. Whilst the church insisted upon the personal consent of the prospective bride and bridegroom and promoted affective marriages, the consent of the parties and their mutual affection may not have been required in Germanic and early Anglo-Saxon society:  ‘until the eleventh century, fathers could bestow their daughters in marriage without regard for their consent’. Betrothal was arranged by the bride’s kin on her behalf, and her consent was not required, although presumably it might have been sought in particular cases."

From a thesis

Clashes with our surrounding culture is not new.  We need to settle what is necessary in Christian marriage and live out our lives in obedience to our King and his law-instruction.