Marriage contract no. 208: Pfalz - Hessen-Kassel

  • Date of contract conclusion: 12. Februar 1650
  • Place of contract conclusion: Kassel

Groom

  • Name: Karl I. Ludwig von der Pfalz
  • GND: 118560182
  • Year of Birth: 1617
  • Year of Death: 1680
  • Dynasty: Pfalz (Simmern)
  • Confession: reformiert

Bride

  • Name: Charlotte von Hessen-Kassel
  • GND: 117722944
  • Year of Birth: 1627
  • Year of Death: 1686
  • Dynasty: Hessen (Kassel)
  • Confession: reformiert

Actors of the Groom

  • Name: Karl I. Ludwig von der Pfalz
  • GND: 118560182
  • Dynasty: Pfalz (Simmern)
  • Relationship: /

Actors of the Bride

  • Name: Amalie Elisabeth von Hanau-Münzenberg
  • GND: 119207826
  • Dynasty: Hanau (Münzenberg)
  • Relationship: Mutter

Contract content

Preamble: In honor of God and for the growth of the Church

Article 1: Prompt marriage and confirmation by consummation announced

Article 2: Dowry and widow’s dower are determined, payment regulated according to the custom of the House of Hesse

Article 3: Morning gift is determined, investment and interest rate determined

Article 4: Maintenance is regulated, life annuity is determined, widow’s dower is regulated, rights of use are regulated

Articles 5-10: Division of inheritance between Charlotte and any heirs; widow’s residence: use and administration are regulated, widow’s maintenance is regulated, reservation of jurisdiction and sovereign rights in favor of the Elector is regulated

Article 11: In the event of Karl Ludwig’s death: Charlotte’s inheritance is regulated; the return of all assets and gains brought into the marriage by the widow is regulated, in accordance with inventories to be drawn up

Articles 12-14: In the event of Charlotte’s remarriage or death: the inheritance rights of the children from her marriage to Karl Ludwig are regulated; if there are no children: division of the estate in the form of money and movable property between the two princely houses, estates remain with the Palatinate

Article 15: Money from the morning gift remains with the Palatinate after Charlotte’s death, otherwise it goes to the children

Article 16: Liability for any debts left by the spouses is regulated

Article 17: If one of the parties dies before the marriage is consummated, the contract is void

Articles 18-19: Marriage is ratified

Regulations on inheritance law

Articles 5-10: Division of inheritance between Charlotte and any heirs; widow’s residence: use and administration regulated, widow’s maintenance regulated, reservation of jurisdiction and sovereign rights in favor of the Elector regulated

Article 11: in the event of Karl Ludwig’s death: Charlotte’s inheritance regulated; surrender of all assets and gains brought into the marriage by the widow to her, in accordance with inventories to be drawn up

Articles 12-14: in the event of Charlotte’s remarriage or death: inheritance rights of the children from her marriage to Karl Ludwig regulated; if there are no children: distribution of the estate in the form of money and movable property between the two princely houses, estates remain with the Palatinate

Article 15: Money from the morning gift remains with the Palatinate after Charlotte’s death, otherwise it goes to the children

Ratifications, confirmations, approvals

Articles 17-18: Marriage is ratified

Commentary

The contract itself is not explicitly divided into articles.

References