Marriage contract no. 13: Braunschweig-Lüneburg-Celle - Dänemark

  • Date of contract conclusion: 21. Februar 1561
  • Place of contract conclusion: s. l.

Groom

  • Name: Wilhelm der Jüngere, Herzog von Braunschweig-Lüneburg
  • GND: 134198158
  • Year of Birth: 1535
  • Year of Death: 1592
  • Dynasty: Welfen
  • Confession: Lutherisch

Bride

  • Name: Dorothea von Dänemark
  • GND: 119452952
  • Year of Birth: 1545
  • Year of Death: 1617
  • Dynasty: Oldenburg (Dänemark)
  • Confession: Lutherisch

Actors of the Groom

  • Name: Wilhelm der Jüngere, Herzog von Braunschweig-Lüneburg
  • GND: 134198158
  • Dynasty: Welfen
  • Relationship: /

Actors of the Bride

  • Name: Friedrich II., König von Dänemark
  • GND: 118703188
  • Dynasty: Oldenburg (Dänemark)
  • Relationship: Bruder

Contract content

[Pre] – To the praise and glory of God, for the benefit and welfare of both countries, for the preservation and increase of friendship and trust: marriage agreed

1 – Consent given for bride, transfer and consummation arranged: including limitation of expenses

2 – Dowry determined, trousseau arranged: including use, reversion after death of bride without children

3 – Widow’s property and income determined: as widow’s residence, rights of use arranged

4 – Register, deed of prescription for widow’s property, homage, rights of use on widow’s property arranged: rights of lordship excluded, compensation for lack of widow’s income arranged

5 – Morning gift determined

6 – Condition, maintenance of widow’s residence regulated

7 – After death of groom: maintenance of bride until receipt of widow’s property regulated

8 – Use of widow’s property by third parties prohibited, in case of war damage: compensation for lost widow’s income promised

9 – In the event of the bride’s second marriage: settlement of widow’s property in exchange for payment of dowry, donatio propter nuptias (share?), trousseau, interest on morning gift regulated

10 – Bride’s renunciation of inheritance regulated: in exchange for dowry payment, with the groom’s consent

11 – Consent of the groom’s brother granted

12 – Compliance promised

Regulations on inheritance law

Renunciation of inheritance by the bride regulated: in return for payment of dowry, with the consent of the groom - 10

Ratifications, confirmations, approvals

Consent of the groom’s brother granted - 11

Commentary

cf. Declaration of renunciation of inheritance by the bride, 15 October 1561 (DNT II, pp. 6-7)

Literature

Laursen in DNT, pp. 1 f.

References

  • Print reference: DNT II, pp. 2-6
  • Contract language print: German