In times of old, brides were often not arranged or courted into marriage but instead they where captured during neighboring wars. In these times, the duties of what we have come to know as the best man and the groomsmen, were to protect the groom from the fury of those he had previously captured his future bride from. They were ready to give up their lives to ensure the safety of the groom.

The custom of the bride standing to the left of the groom during the wedding ceremony, arose from need rather than etiquette. During the ceremony the groom needed to have his right arm free to defend against any intruders who may have attempted to reclaim his future bride before the conclusion of the ceremony.

In modern ceremonies, the duties of the Best Man is to act as one of the official witnesses to the marriage. Informing him of the history of this honored position, should certainly stir the sense of chivalry in any best man.