E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Left-handed Marriage.
A morganat’ic marriage (q.v.). In these marriages the husband gives his left hand to the bride, instead of the right, when he says, “I take thee for my wedded wife.” George William, Duke of Zell, married Eleanora d’Esmiers in this way, and the lady took the name and title of Lady of Harburg; her daughter was Sophia Dorothe’a, the wife of George I.
