E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Bridegroom’s Men.
In the Roman marriage by confarreatio, the bride was led to the Pon’tifex Max’imus by bachelors, but was conducted home by married men. Polydore Virgil says that a married man preceded the bride on her return, bearing a vessel of gold and silver. (See BRIDE CAKE.)
