Marriage contract no. 222: Brandenburg - Sachsen
- Date of contract conclusion: 1. Dezember 1475
- Place of contract conclusion: Berlin/Köln
Groom
- Name: Johann Cicero Kurfürst von Brandenburg
- GND: 128964421
- Year of Birth: 1455
- Year of Death: 1499
- Dynasty: Hohenzollern (Brandenburg)
- Confession: Katholisch
Bride
- Name: Margaretha von Sachsen
- GND: 140846425
- Year of Birth: 1449
- Year of Death: 1501
- Dynasty: Wettiner (Albertiner)
- Confession: Katholisch
Actors of the Groom
- Name: Johann Cicero, Kurfürst von Brandenburg
- GND: 128964421
- Dynasty: Hohenzollern (Brandenburg)
- Relationship: /
Actors of the Bride
- Name: Wilhelm III., Herzog von Sachsen
- GND: 118632965
- Dynasty: Wettin (Albertiner)
- Relationship: Vater
Contract content
Article 1 (fol. 1r): 4,000 guilders interest pension, right of use of the castles, regulations regarding offices
Article 2 (fol. 1r): Morning gift and donatio propter nuptias agreed
Article 3 (fol. 1r): Spandau designated as place of residence, provided the bride agrees, rights of use established
Article 4 (fol. 1r): Determination of financial resources and offices at castles
Article 5 (fol. 1r): Determination of widow’s pension at 4,000 guilders
Article 6 (fol. 1r): Spandau designated as widow’s residence if the widow so desires, rights of use, regulations regarding offices
Article 7 (fol. 1r-1v): Financial regulations
Article 8 (fol. 1v): Leibgedinge and financing by heirs established
Article 9 (fol. 1v): Prohibition on pledging, selling, or otherwise disposing of the dower and possessions of the bride/widow.
Article 10 (fol. 1v–2r): Right of the groom to appoint officials at Spandau Castle, further regulations regarding the appointment of subsequent officials, swearing of the oath of office.
Article 11 (fol. 6r): Dowry set at 20,000 guilders and prescription
Article 12 (fol. 6r-6v): Renunciation of inheritance rights to Saxony and all claims of the maternal line, with dowry as compensation
Article 13 (fol. 7r): Maintenance of the wife set at 4,000 guilders, additional expenses
Article 14 (fol. 7v)
Article 15 (fol. 8r): Approval of the life annuity by the emperor
Article 16 (fol. 8r): 1,000 guilders for annual use
Article 17 (fol. 8r): Consent of the emperor granted
Article 18 (fol. 8v-9r): Payment problems mentioned
Regulations on inheritance law
Article 12 (fol. 6r-6v): Renunciation of inheritance rights to Saxony and all claims of the maternal line, in return for a dowry as compensation
Ratifications, confirmations, approvals
Article 15 (fol. 8r): Approval of the Leibgeding by the emperor
Article 17 (fol. 8r): Consent of the emperor granted
Commentary
The marriage contract itself has not been found, so the regest derives the contractual provisions indirectly from related documents such as letters of prescription.
References
- Archive copy: GStA, I. HA Rep. 78, Nr. 24, fol. 1r-2v, 6r-9r
- Contract language archive copy: German
- Digitized archive copy: https://archivdatenbank.gsta.spk-berlin.de/midosasearch-gsta/MidosaSEARCH/i_ha_rep_78_und_78_a/index.htm?kid=GStA_i_ha_rep_78_und_78_a_8&uid=GStA_i_ha_rep_78_und_78_a_I_HA_Rep_78_Nr_24
Recommended citation
Dynastische Eheverträge der frühen Neuzeit. Contract No. 222. Philipps University of Marburg. Available online at https://dynastische-ehevertraege.online.uni-marburg.de/en/vertraege/222.html.
@misc{ Dynastische Ehevertr{“a}ge der fr{”u}hen Neuzeit,
title = {Dynastische Ehevertr{“a}ge der fr{”u}hen Neuzeit: Contract No. 222},
url = {https://dynastische-ehevertraege.online.uni-marburg.de/en/vertraege/222.html}
}