Marriage contract no. 140: Frankreich - England

  • Date of contract conclusion: 30. April 1527
  • Place of contract conclusion: Westminster

Groom

  • Name: Franz I., König von Frankreich
  • GND: 118534947
  • Year of Birth: 1494
  • Year of Death: 1547
  • Dynasty: Valois
  • Confession: Katholisch

Bride

  • Name: Maria (Mary) von England
  • GND: 118640917
  • Year of Birth: 1516
  • Year of Death: 1558
  • Dynasty: Tudor
  • Confession: Katholisch

Actors of the Groom

  • Name: Franz I. (Francois), König von Frankreich
  • GND: 118534947
  • Dynasty: Valois
  • Relationship: /

Actors of the Bride

  • Name: Heinrich VIII., König von England
  • GND: 118548204
  • Dynasty: Tudor
  • Relationship: Vater

Contract content

Article 1 - Peace and Friendship Treaty of Moore between England and France of August 30 1525 confirmed

Article 2 - The agreement to only enter into negotiations and contracts with the emperor together in future applies, among other things, to marriage negotiations and contracts and especially for Francis with regard to the release of his sons from imperial hostage-taking

Article 3 - Joint legation to the Emperor agreed in order to secure the release of Francis’ sons and the repayment of imperial debts to Henry

Article 4 - In order to preserve peace, future marriage of Maria agreed either with Francis himself or with his second-born son Henry as soon as Maria is 12 years old, later decision and negotiations agreed upon, subject to resignation

Article 5 - On Mary’s marriage to Francis and her succession to the throne of England, an English regency government is appointed to ensure that there are no changes to the English commonwealth, negotiations are agreed on the dower and dowry, the upbringing of the first-born child and thus the English heir to the throne in England is agreed, Mary’s right of return as a dowager is promised, confirmation and ratification of the contract are regulated

Article 6 - If Mary or the descendants from her marriage to Francis do not succeed to the English throne and there is no joint offensive war between England and France against the Emperor, the contract of 30 April 1527 is null and void

Article 7 - If marriage to Henry is agreed, two months after his release and return to France, Henry is sent to England to be educated there, negotiations on dower and dowry agreed, confirmation and ratification of the contract arranged

Article 8-9 - Offensive war against the Emperor if he rejects the joint peace terms of England and France

Article 10 - If neither of the two possible marriages materialises due to English reservations, the French king is not obliged to reimburse the English king for his war costs, but if no marriage materialises due to French reservations, the French king reimburses the English king for the war costs and makes payments beyond that

Article 11 - Royal meeting in Calais agreed, arrangements for the ceremony reserved

Article 12 - Ratification regulated

Regulations on succession to the throne

Article 5 - On Mary’s marriage to Francis and her succession to the throne of England, an English regency government is appointed to ensure that there are no changes to the English commonwealth, negotiations are agreed on the dower and dowry, the upbringing of the first-born child and thus the English heir to the throne in England is agreed, Mary’s right of return as a dowager is promised, confirmation and ratification of the contract are regulated

Article 6 - If Mary or the descendants from her marriage to Francis do not succeed to the English throne and there is no joint offensive war between England and France against the Emperor, the contract of 30 April 1527 is null and void

Ratifications, confirmations, approvals

Article 5 - On Mary’s marriage to Francis and her succession to the throne of England, an English regency government is appointed to ensure that there are no changes to the English commonwealth, negotiations are agreed on the dower and dowry, the upbringing of the first-born child and thus the English heir to the throne in England is agreed, Mary’s right of return as a dowager is promised, confirmation and ratification of the contract are regulated

Article 7 - If marriage to Henry is agreed, two months after his release and return to France, Henry is sent to England to be educated there, negotiations on dower and dowry agreed, confirmation and ratification of the contract arranged

Article 12 - Ratification regulated

Further contracts between contracting parties

Article 5 - On Mary’s marriage to Francis and her succession to the throne of England, an English regency government is appointed to ensure that there are no changes to the English commonwealth, negotiations are agreed on the dower and dowry, the upbringing of the first-born child and thus the English heir to the throne in England is agreed, Mary’s right of return as a dowager is promised, confirmation and ratification of the contract are regulated

Article 7 - If marriage to Henry is agreed, two months after his release and return to France, Henry is sent to England to be educated there, negotiations on dower and dowry agreed, confirmation and ratification of the contract arranged

Article 12 - Ratification regulated

Literature

Key words: 1522 and 1523 English attacks on Morlaix and Tréport (cf. Gunn 2018, p. 6)

References