Marriage contract no. 173: Lothringen - Frankreich

  • Date of contract conclusion: 12. Oktober 1698
  • Place of contract conclusion: Fontainebleau

Groom

  • Name: Leopold I., Herzog von Lothringen
  • GND: 118835785
  • Year of Birth: 1679
  • Year of Death: 1729
  • Dynasty: Lothringen
  • Confession: Katholisch

Bride

  • Name: Elisabeth Charlotte von Orléans
  • GND: 1023911299
  • Year of Birth: 1676
  • Year of Death: 1744
  • Dynasty: Orléans
  • Confession: Katholisch

Actors of the Groom

  • Name: Leopold I., Herzog von Lothringen
  • GND: 118835785
  • Dynasty: Lothringen
  • Relationship: /

Actors of the Bride

  • Name: Ludwig XIV., König von Frankreich
  • GND: 118816829
  • Dynasty: Bourbon (Frankreich)
  • Relationship: Onkel

Contract content

Preamble: due to the close relationship of the spouses, the Pope’s consent to the marriage was obtained

Article 1: Marriage at the French court by proxy

Article 2: Dowry: to be paid in part by King Louis XIV, payment, bride’s parents’ share of dowry to be paid only after the death of Elisabeth Charlotte’s parents, plus bridal jewels; in return for payment of dowry, Elisabeth Charlotte renounces parental inheritance; Elisabeth Charlotte’s right of ownership and right of inheritance to dowry regulated

Article 3: Investment of dowry regulated: incl. administration of dowry assets by Elisabeth Charlotte

Article 4: Bridal gifts and inheritance rights to bridal gifts regulated

Article 5: Livelihood of Elisabeth Charlotte determined

Articles 6-7: Dower fixed as dowager’s livelihood

Article 8: Elisabeth Charlotte’s right of return in the event of her widowhood discussed, dowager’s livelihood fixed

Article 9: If Elisabeth Charlotte dies and has no children: right of inheritance to her estate regulated, return of her bridal jewels to France arranged

Article 10: Voyage of the bride to her husband´s court arranged

Article 11: Compliance assured, ratification regulated, authorisations of the Duke of Lorraine included

Regulations on inheritance law

Article 2: […] in return for payment of dowry, Elisabeth Charlotte renounces parental inheritance […]

Further contracts between contracting parties

(Peace of Rijswijk 1697.10.30 Empire-France: incl. Lorraine) - Treaty of Besancon 1705.08.25 on territorial exchange

Commentary

Ü - except for first, last provision almost identical in wording to preliminary contract 1698.08.01 (Enr. 167) Contract itself not divided into articles. The digital copy can be accessed at the URL provided using the signature (TRA16980003).

Literature

Berenger 1998, p. 98

References