Marriage contract no. 225: Sachsen - Hessen

Contract content

Article 1: Marriage agreed

Article 2: Dowry set at 25,000 guilders, consummation of marriage mentioned

Article 3: Trousseau in the form of jewelry, clothing, etc. guaranteed

Article 4: The donatio propter nuptias set at 25,000 guilders

Article 5: Morning gift amounts to 5,000 guilders

Article 6: Rochlitz Castle designated as widow’s residence, maintenance and income of the widow regulated, rights of use regulated, homage and oath of allegiance by officials and subjects guaranteed

Article 7: Inheritance of half of the donatio propter nuptias to the next heirs regulated

Article 8: Rule regulated, widow’s dower guaranteed

Article 9: Right of inheritance of the eldest son regulated

Article 10: Right of inheritance of the groom and his descendants in the Duchy of Saxony regulated

Article 11: Compensation and repair in the event of damage to the widow’s property is regulated: half is paid by the widow, the other half by the heirs of Duke George, provided there are no legitimate heirs from the marriage; otherwise, the legitimate heirs from the marriage are liable for payment. Tax exemption of the widow’s dower is regulated.

Article 12: Provision for the widow by the heirs of Duke George is guaranteed.

Article 13: Inspection of the widow’s property and associated lands guaranteed by the bride’s father

Article 14: Consumption of the marriage, age of marriage of the bride and groom, and transfer of the bride regulated

Article 15: Waiver of inheritance by the bride to her paternal, maternal, and fraternal inheritance regulated

Article 16: After the death of the bride and groom without biological heirs: reversion of clothes, jewelry, silverware, and other possessions that the bride brought into the marriage to the Hessian side; as long as the groom is still alive, he has lifelong rights of use and enjoyment thereof

Article 17: Groom inherits his father’s dominion and castle

Article 18: Inheritance of dowry and donatio propter nuptias to the heirs, distribution regulated

Article 19: If the bride dies after consummation of the marriage, with or without heirs, the dowry, donatio propter nuptias, widow’s property, and everything that the bride brought into the marriage shall pass to the groom

Article 21: Regulations in the event of the widow remarrying after the death of the groom: redemption of dowry, donatio propter nuptias and morning gift regulated, life annuity to be ceded, regulations regarding the duties of loyalty of officials towards the widow in this case, guarantee and insurance required

Article 22: After the death of the groom, the widow shall have possession of the 55,000 guilders comprising the dowry, donatio propter nuptias, and morning gift; after her death, the sum shall pass to her heirs; if there are no such heirs, the Hessian side shall receive part of the estate; the dowry payment shall remain with the groom’s family.

Article 23: The bride is exempt from liability for current or future debts of the groom or the bride’s father.

Article 24: The groom’s father and his other heirs waive their right of use to the widow’s property.

Article 25: The widow’s residence is determined and rights of use are regulated.

Article 26: Transfer of the widow’s property is regulated.

Article 27: Granting of fiefs on the widow’s property is regulated

Article 28: Damage to the widow’s property must be repaired or financially compensated by the groom and his heirs

Article 29: Letter of homage is mentioned

Article 30: Receipt of the sums paid is guaranteed

Article 31: Payment regulated in the event that one of the two parties dies or the payments cannot be met

Article 32: Payment regulated in the event that the bride or groom dies before the marriage

Article 33: Vassals and cities of Brandenburg and Hesse named as guarantors or witnesses to the contract?

Regulations on inheritance law

Article 7: Inheritance of half of the donatio propter nuptias to the next heirs regulated

Article 9: Inheritance rights of the eldest son regulated

Article 10: Inheritance rights of the groom and his descendants in the Duchy of Saxony regulated

Article 15: Renunciation of inheritance by the bride of her paternal, maternal, and fraternal inheritance regulated

Article 16: After the death of the bride and groom without biological heirs: reversion of clothes, jewelry, silverware, and other possessions that the bride brought into the marriage to the Hessian side; as long as the groom is still alive, he has lifelong rights of use and enjoyment thereof

Article 17: Groom inherits his father’s dominion and castle

Article 18: Inheritance of dowry and donatio propter nuptias to the heirs, distribution regulated

Article 19: If the bride dies after consummation of the marriage, with or without heirs, the dowry, donatio propter nuptias, widow’s property, and everything that the bride brought into the marriage shall pass to the groom

Article 21: Regulations in the event of the widow remarrying after the death of the groom: redemption of dowry, donatio propter nuptias and morning gift regulated, life annuity to be ceded, regulations regarding the duties of loyalty of officials towards the widow in this case, guarantee and insurance required

Article 22: After the death of the groom, the widow shall have possession of the 55,000 guilders, which is the total amount of the dowry, donatio propter nuptias, and morning gift; after her death, the sum shall fall to her heirs; if there are no heirs, the Hessian side shall receive a portion of the estate; the widow’s allowance shall remain with the groom’s family.

Estates involved

Article 33: Vassals and cities of Brandenburg and Hesse named as guarantors or witnesses to the contract?

Commentary

The original contract does not have numbered articles.

References

• Archive copy: HStA Drd, 10001 O.U. 9601
• Contract language archive copy: German

Recommended citation

Dynastische Eheverträge der frühen Neuzeit. Contract No. 225. Philipps University of Marburg. Available online at https://dynastische-ehevertraege.online.uni-marburg.de/en/vertraege/225.html.

@misc{ Dynastische Ehevertr{“a}ge der fr{”u}hen Neuzeit, 
title = {Dynastische Ehevertr{“a}ge der fr{”u}hen Neuzeit: Contract No. 225},
 url = {https://dynastische-ehevertraege.online.uni-marburg.de/en/vertraege/225.html}
}