Marriage contract no. 123: England - Spanien (Kastilien)

Contract content

Preamble: Names of the negotiators

Article 1: Dowry set at 300,000 crowns (each crown at 4 shillings sterling), of which 100,000 crowns are to be paid within 15 days before the bride’s departure for England

Article 2: Payment of the remaining sum in 6 annual instalments of 33,333 crowns each

Article 3: Spanish commitment to pay the couple 18,850 crowns annually and a further 12,000 crowns in income from Margarete’s Spanish and Savoyard widow’s estates; total sum for Henry’s personal use

Article 4: Signing, ratification and oath assured by Philip

Articles 5-6: Guarantee of payment by Flemish nobles and cities regulated, delivery of securities in London regulated

Article 7: Philip is obliged to assure strict compliance with the contract, in particular the financial clauses, before witnesses appointed by the Pope; in the event of late payment, he faces excommunication

Articles 8-9: Marriage by proxy agreed within one month of delivery of the securities

Article 10: Transfer of the bride to England regulated

Article 11: Personal marriage to be celebrated no later than one month after Margaret’s arrival in England

Article 12: If Margaret dies before the dowry of 300,000 crowns has been paid in full and there are descendants, the sum will continue to be paid; if she dies without descendants, payment will cease

Article 13: Henry must transfer to Margaret the properties that constitute her dower; upon widowhood, she shall have access to income from Spanish and Savoyard widow’s estates; she is guaranteed the right to spend the income freely, except in countries hostile to England

Article 14: Confirmation and guarantee of punctual payment of income from the dower regulated by the English Parliament.

Article 15: Margaret’s heirs have no right to demand repayment of the dowry (in whole or in part) from Henry.

Article 16: If Margaret dies before Henry and leaves no descendants, payment of her dowry to her heirs is regulated by Henry.

Article 17: The Archduchess may dispose of her jewels and jewellery as she sees fit

Article 18: Children from the marriage have succession and inheritance rights to all inheritances in Spain, Flanders, etc., which may fall to Margaret

Article 19: Philip must obtain papal confirmation of the contract and request his excommunication in the event of a breach of contract

Article 20: Philip is obliged to persuade Margaret to marry; Margaret’s transfer to England is regulated

Article 21: The Emperor has authorised King Philip to conclude the contract

Article 22: Ratification of the contract by the Emperor is required; the Emperor is obliged to persuade Margaret to marry; The Emperor’s objection does not invalidate the marriage agreement between England and Spain.

Articles 23-24: The contracting parties undertake to renew the ratification of the Treaty of Friendship and Alliance of Windsor between England and Spain on 9 February 1506.

Articles 25-28: Powers of attorney of the contracting parties

Regulations on succession to the throne

Article 18: Children from the marriage have succession and inheritance rights for all inheritances in Spain, Flanders, etc., which may accrue to Margaret.

Regulations on inheritance law

Article 15: Margarete’s heirs have no right to demand repayment of the dowry (in whole or in part) from Heinrich

Article 16: If Margaret dies before Henry and leaves no descendants, payment of her dowry to her heirs by Henry is regulated

Article 18: Children from the marriage have succession and inheritance rights for all inheritances in Spain, Flanders, etc., which may fall to Margaret

Estates involved

english Parliament

External authorities involved

Emperor, Pope

Ratifications, confirmations, approvals

Article 4: Signing, ratification and oath guaranteed by Philip

Article 14: Confirmation and guarantee of punctual payment of income from the dower regulated by the English Parliament

Article 22: Ratification of the treaty by the Emperor required

Articles 23-24: Contracting parties undertake to renew ratification of the Treaty of Friendship and Alliance of Windsor between England and Spain on 9 February 1506

Text reference to past events

Articles 23-24: Contracting parties undertake to renew ratification of the Treaty of Windsor between England and Spain of 9 February 1506.

Further contracts between contracting parties

Treaties of Antwerp, 19–20 June 1502 - Trade Treaty of Richmond, 23 June 1503 - Alliance of Windsor, 9 February 1503 - Treaty of London 30 April 1506 - Treaty of Westminster 15 May 1506 - Treaty of Bruges 5 June 1507 - Treaty of Calais 21 December 1507

Literature

Wiesflecker, Max. I., Bd. III, S. 294 f.

References

• Print reference: Parry/Hopkins 1970, Bd. II, S. 34, CSP Sp., Bd. I, S. 382-385 (Regest)
• Contract language print: English
• Digitized print: https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/spain/vol1/pp382-385

Recommended citation

Dynastische Eheverträge der frühen Neuzeit. Contract No. 123. Philipps University of Marburg. Available online at https://dynastische-ehevertraege.online.uni-marburg.de/en/vertraege/123.html.

@misc{ Dynastische Ehevertr{“a}ge der fr{”u}hen Neuzeit, 
title = {Dynastische Ehevertr{“a}ge der fr{”u}hen Neuzeit: Contract No. 123},
 url = {https://dynastische-ehevertraege.online.uni-marburg.de/en/vertraege/123.html}
}