Gothic wedding customs

[g_scaff]

Greetings all,
   In Mr. Heather's The Goths, on pg 291, he writes "a formula from the 
early seventh-century shows that it was by then standard for marriage 
arrangements to include a morgengabe consisiting in part of weapons.  
The formula specifically characterizes the practice as "Gothic"."
    I am curious as to what a "morgengabe" is? Why the gift of weapons? 
Whom recieved this, the groom or bride? Is there a similar custom among 
other tribes?  I'd like to hear about this, if anyone knows. Thanks.
                Sincerely 
                        Gregory

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