Marriage contract no. 17: Dänemark - Russland

Contract content

[Pre] – Negotiations announced:

1 – Dispatch of the groom to Russia agreed: by May 1602

2 – Closer friendship between both sides announced

3 – Reception and escort of the groom from Narva to Moscow arranged

4 – Reception of the groom by the bride’s father in Moscow arranged

5 – Transfer of the Principality of Tver to John arranged: including rights of sovereignty

6 – Princely rank of the groom arranged: as promised by the Tsar’s son, marriage and dowry

7 – Principality of Tver assured to the groom as hereditary property: even after a childless marriage or after the death of the bride, or hereditary among the groom’s descendants

8 – Freedom of religion assured for the groom and his entourage: including church construction, according to Danish rites, also in the Principality of Tver

9 – Exercise of power in the Principality of Tver regulated: according to Russian law

10 – Rights of use of the groom regulated

11 – Kissing of the cross stipulated (for the groom’s entourage?)

12 – Free messenger and letter service for the groom to Denmark guaranteed

13 – Freedom of travel for the groom to Denmark guaranteed: without the bride’s accompaniment

14 – Compliance by the bride’s father, whose son is guaranteed

15 – Through implementation of the treaty: fame for King Christian, benefits for Denmark, peace and a godly life for Danish subjects and Christendom

Regulations on succession to the throne

Transfer of the Principality of Tver to John regulated: incl. rights of sovereignty - 5

Princely rank of the groom regulated: as promised by the Tsar’s son, marriage and dowry - 6

Principality of Tver assured to the groom as hereditary property: even after a childless marriage or after the death of the bride, or hereditary among the groom’s descendants - 7

Exercise of sovereignty in the Principality of Tver regulated: according to Russian law - 9

Confessional regulations

Freedom of religion guaranteed for the groom and his entourage: including church construction, according to Danish rites, also in the Principality of Tver - 8

Regulations on inheritance law

Principality of Tver guaranteed to the groom as hereditary property: even after a childless marriage or after the death of the bride or hereditary among the groom’s descendants - 7

Commentary

Groom died in Russia before the marriage in 1602.

Agreement not identical to Russian ratification of 10 April 1602.

Literature

Laursen in DNT, pp. 123-131

References

• Print reference: DNT III, pp. 131-137
• Contract language print: German

Recommended citation

Dynastische Eheverträge der frühen Neuzeit. Contract No. 17. Philipps University of Marburg. Available online at https://dynastische-ehevertraege.online.uni-marburg.de/en/vertraege/17.html.

@misc{ Dynastische Ehevertr{“a}ge der fr{”u}hen Neuzeit, 
title = {Dynastische Ehevertr{“a}ge der fr{”u}hen Neuzeit: Contract No. 17},
 url = {https://dynastische-ehevertraege.online.uni-marburg.de/en/vertraege/17.html}
}