Why is it traditional for the men to get on a bended knee when he proposes?

Question

Why is it traditional for the men to get on a bended knee when he proposes?

Answer 1

I'm really not sure. As the post above me suggests, I think I think it probably stems back to knights kneeling to their kings etc. Perhaps it is a way to make the man look subservient to the woman...like he will place her above himself in all considerations and this is the best physical way to signify that? That possibly goes for the king thing too as I believe that royalty generally sat higher than anyone else so that everyone had to look up to them...just a guess though! Will check back and see if anyone else has a more knowledgable answer!

Answer 2

I think it stems from a time when knights would bend a knee to their Lords and give their oaths to serve and protect.  During the Victorian era stories romanticizing this practice were written where the knight would bend a knee to his Lady and make a vow to protect her.  

I am assuming that it was at that time that men started proposing on bended knee.

Of course I could be wrong, I have no real research to back my theory.