Alice Gomme, 1894, The Traditional Games of England, Scotland and Ireland, pp. 302-304, suggested that the game "preserved the ceremonies of a now obsolete marriage-custom-- namely, the disguising of the bride and placing her among her bridesmaids and other young girls, all having veils or other coverings alike over their heads and bodies. The bridegroom has to select from among these maidens the girl whom he wished to marry, or whom he had already married, for until this was done he was not allowed to depart with his bride."

Gomme (wisely?) does not discuss the kings, etc., involved.