OLD RIDDLES

1. My first means equality, my second inferiority, and my whole superiority.

2. [Interpret this riddle literally]
    In my first, my second sat, my third and fourth I ate.

3. My first is a feminine possessive adjective. My second is needed for a wedding. My whole is a fish.

4. [To be taken in context of its time] 

    What house is always murmuring, though all that dwell therein are dumb?

HINT:
1: The first word is used in tennis.

Answers: 

1. MATCH - LESS - MATCHLESS  

2. IN SAT I ATE - INSATIATE 

3. HER - RING - HERRING

4. A RIVER