Marriage contract no. 1: Frankreich - Spanien

Contract content

(Authorised negotiators of the contracting parties declare before assembled Spanish princes and councillors:) (215 li - re)

[Pre] – out of concern for the welfare of their kingdoms, to secure the existing peace of their kingdoms and of Christendom since the reigns of King Philip II of Spain and King Henry IV of France, and in the desire to continue the peace beyond the lifetimes of both kings: both kings convinced that a double marriage is the most suitable means – by the grace of God, for the increase of divine worship, with the blessing of the Pope, through the mediation of the Grand Duke of Tuscany: prior agreement on a double marriage between France and Spain declared – to strengthen the alliance, love and brotherhood between both kings: marriage contract agreed as follows: (215 re)

[1] – Marriage agreed: with the Pope’s dispensation, after the bride reaches the age of 12, marriage agreed at the Spanish court, ratification and church wedding agreed after the bride’s transfer to France, date to be agreed (215 re)

[2] – Dowry determined: payment agreed (215 re)

[3] – Investment of the dowry in annuities regulated: interest on the dowry in the event of reversion regulated (215 re)

[4] – Renunciation of inheritance by the bride regulated: in return for payment of the dowry, to the paternal and maternal inheritance, to be surrendered before and after the marriage, with the consent of the groom, with immediate effect (216 li)

[5] – to secure peace among Christians, love and brotherhood between kings, out of consideration for the balance and propriety of marriages, for the advancement of the Christian religion, for the common good of both kingdoms and their subjects, out of fear of unforeseen consequences of the marriages: Succession to the throne of the bride and her descendants in all countries of the Spanish Crown is excluded in perpetuity, especially in Flanders, Burgundy, Charolais, except for succession to the throne of the bride as a widow without children (216 li - re)

[6] – Declaration by the bride regarding renunciation of succession to the throne regulated: to be made before and after the marriage, with the consent of the groom, for ratification by the Parliament of Paris and the Spanish Council of State (216 re – 217 li)

[7] – Bridal jewels specified: to be the hereditary property of the bride (217 li)

[8] – Widow’s income specified: invested in widow’s estates with ducal title, rights of use and dominion regulated, for the bride’s lifetime (217 li)

[9] – Maintenance of the bride and her court during the marriage regulated (217 li)

[10] – Marriage by procurator, dowry, transfer regulated: after the bride reaches the age of 12, to the border of France (217 li)

[11] – Free choice of widow’s residence regulated: in France, Spain or elsewhere, with all widow’s income, transfer of letter of security to bride and bride’s father guaranteed (217 li)

[12] – After papal mediation: confirmation of the contract requested from the Pope (217 li – re)

[13] – Compliance assured, ratification regulated (217 re)

Regulations on succession to the throne

[5] – to secure peace among Christians, love and brotherhood between kings, out of consideration for the balance and propriety of marriages, for the advancement of the Christian religion, for the common good of both kingdoms and their subjects, out of fear of unforeseen consequences arising from the marriages: The bride and her descendants are permanently excluded from succession to the throne in all countries of the Spanish Crown, especially in Flanders, Burgundy and Charolais, except for succession to the throne by the bride as a childless widow (216 li - re).

[6] – Declaration by the bride on renunciation of succession to the throne regulated: to be made before and after the marriage, with the consent of the groom, for ratification by the Parliament of Paris and the Spanish Council of State (216 re – 217 li)

Regulations on inheritance law

[4] – Renunciation of inheritance by the bride regulated: in return for payment of a dowry, on paternal and maternal inheritance, to be surrendered before and after the marriage, with the consent of the groom, with immediate effect (216 li)

[5] – To secure peace among Christians, love and brotherhood between kings, out of consideration for the balance and propriety of marriages, for the advancement of the Christian religion, for the common good of both kingdoms and their subjects, out of fear of unforeseen consequences arising from the marriages: Succession to the throne of the bride and her descendants in all countries of the Spanish Crown is excluded in perpetuity, especially in Flanders, Burgundy, Charolais, except for succession to the throne of the bride as a widow without children (216 li - re)

[7] – Bridal jewels specified: to be the hereditary property of the bride (217 li)

Estates involved

Ratification by the Parliament of Paris and the Spanish Council of State required- 6

External authorities involved

papal mediation, confirmation mentioned - 12

Ratifications, confirmations, approvals

Ratification by Parliament of Paris and Spanish Council of State required - 6

Papal mediation, confirmation mentioned - 12

Text reference to past events

papal mediation mentioned - 12

Further contracts between contracting parties

First Peace Treaty of Asti 1 December 1614

Second Peace Treaty of Asti 21 June 1615

Peace Treaty of Paris 6 September 1617

Commentary

First Peace Treaty of Asti 1 December 1614

Second Peace Treaty of Asti 21 June 1615

Peace Treaty of Paris 6 September 1617

• Print reference: Dumont 1726-1739, Bd. V:2, p. 215-217
• Contract language print: French
• Digitized print: https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k1263086r/f225.item

Recommended citation

Dynastische Eheverträge der frühen Neuzeit. Contract No. 1. Philipps University of Marburg. Available online at https://dynastische-ehevertraege.online.uni-marburg.de/en/vertraege/1.html.

@misc{ Dynastische Ehevertr{“a}ge der fr{”u}hen Neuzeit, 
title = {Dynastische Ehevertr{“a}ge der fr{”u}hen Neuzeit: Contract No. 1},
 url = {https://dynastische-ehevertraege.online.uni-marburg.de/en/vertraege/1.html}
}