Marriage contract no. 234: Sachsen - Hessen

Contract content

Article 1: Marriage agreed, consent of Duke Henry of Saxony expressed

Articles 2-3: Succession of Duke George of Saxony mentioned; payment of the marriage dowry by means of a castle fief with ratification by Duke Henry agreed as a settlement, in accordance with the said succession; Compliance with the settlement assured by Duke Maurice of Saxony; if Duke Maurice survives his father, Duke Henry: renunciation of inheritance by Christine of Saxony, Landgravine of Hesse and daughter of Duke George, settled; after Henry’s death, Agnes of Maurice shall receive a total of 50,000 guilders (25,000 guilders as dowry and 25,000 guilders as donatio propter nuptias) for her widow’s dower; Elisabeth of Hesse, Duchess of Saxony and sister of Landgrave Philip, shall receive 15,000 guilders before the bride is transferred; dowry mentioned

Article 4: Morning gift set at 5,000 guilders, rights of use regulated

Article 5: After the death of Duke Heinrich, another 10,000 guilders are to be given to Christine of Saxony within one year

Article 6: Renunciation of inheritance by Christine of Saxony and her husband, Landgrave Philipp, in favor of Duke Heinrich and his heirs

Article 7: Procedure agreed in the event of ratification of the inheritance claim by Duke Heinrich

Article 8: Dowry or bride price for Agnes set at 25,000 guilders, to be paid by Landgrave Philipp within two years, trousseau regulated

Article 9: donatio propter nuptias set at 25,000 guilders, appropriate widow’s dower guaranteed: Agnes is to be transferred all widow’s dower property and rights of use that previously belonged to the widow’s dower of Elisabeth of Hesse, the wife of Duke Heinrich; Morning gift of 5,000 guilders guaranteed, either as an investment or in cash.

Article 10: With the consent of Heinrich of Saxony: Renunciation of the bride’s inheritance rights to the Landgrave of Hesse’s estate settled, in accordance with the renunciation of Elisabeth of Hesse, before the transfer of the bride.

Article 11: If both spouses die and leave no children together: Reversion of the marriage property or dowry and trousseau to Landgrave Philip’s sons with Christine of Saxony; if there are no sons: inheritance to Philip’s daughters; however, Moritz is guaranteed lifetime use of the 25,000 guilders.

Article 12: Agnes is granted the right to give away and bequeath parts of the trousseau.

Article 13: Provision regarding the dowry and trousseau for Agnes if, upon Duke Heinrich’s death, the addition to Christina’s dowry guaranteed in Article 5 has not been ratified

Article 14: Separate provision agreed upon regarding the dowry, donatio propter nuptias, etc., in accordance with older agreements between the houses of Saxony and Hesse

Articles 15-16: If Henry of Saxony objects to the inheritance arrangement, he is obliged to pay 30,000 guilders to Philip’s wife Christine of Saxony; in this case, the provinces of Thuringia and Meissen shall also fall to Philip of Hesse for ten years and he shall receive 50,000 guilders; rights of use for Christine are regulated

Article 17: Provision in the event that Henry refuses to ratify the inheritance arrangement; settlement with the involvement of an impartial mediator mentioned

Articles 18-19: Even if Henry does not agree to the inheritance arrangement, the payment of the dowry and the handing over of Agnes’s trousseau shall proceed as normal; in this case, however, Christine shall not confirm her renunciation of inheritance

Article 20: Signing and notarization regulated

Regulations on inheritance law

Articles 2-3: Mention of the inheritance of Duke Georg of Saxony; payment of the marriage interest through a castle fief with ratification by Duke Heinrich agreed as a settlement, in accordance with the aforementioned inheritance; Compliance with the settlement guaranteed by Duke Moritz of Saxony; if Duke Moritz survives his father, Duke Heinrich: renunciation of inheritance by Christine of Saxony, Landgravine of Hesse and daughter of Duke Georg, regulated; after Heinrich’s death, Agnes receives a total of 50,000 guilders (25,000 guilders as dowry and 25,000 guilders as donatio propter nuptias) from Moritz for her widow’s dower; Elisabeth of Hesse, Duchess of Saxony and sister of Landgrave Philipp, shall receive 15,000 guilders before the bride is transferred; dowry mentioned.

Article 6: Renunciation of inheritance by Christine of Saxony and her husband, Landgrave Philipp, in favor of Duke Heinrich and his heirs agreed upon.

Article 7: Procedure agreed in the event of ratification of the inheritance claim by Duke Heinrich

Article 10: With the consent of Heinrich of Saxony: Renunciation of inheritance by the bride to the Landgrave of Hesse’s inheritance, in accordance with the renunciation of Elisabeth of Hesse, before the transfer of the bride

Article 11: If both spouses die and leave no children together: Reversion of the marriage property or dowry and trousseau to Landgrave Philip’s sons with Christine of Saxony; if there are no sons: inheritance to Philip’s daughters; however, Moritz is guaranteed lifelong use of the 25,000 guilders

Article 12: Agnes is granted the right to give away and bequeath parts of the trousseau

Articles 15-16: If Heinrich of Saxony objects to the inheritance arrangement, he is obliged to pay 30,000 guilders to Philipp’s wife Christine of Saxony; in this case, the regions of Thuringia and Meissen shall also fall to Philipp of Hesse for ten years and he shall receive 50,000 guilders, with rights of use for Christine regulated

Article 17: Provision in the event that Henry refuses to ratify the inheritance arrangement; settlement with the involvement of an impartial mediator mentioned

Articles 18-19: Even if Henry does not agree to the inheritance arrangement, the payment of the dowry and the handing over of the trousseau for Agnes shall proceed as normal; in this case, however, Christine shall not confirm her renunciation of inheritance

Ratifications, confirmations, approvals

Articles 2-3: Mention of the inheritance of Duke Georg of Saxony; payment of the marriage interest through a castle fief with ratification by Duke Heinrich agreed as a settlement […]

Article 7: Procedure agreed in the event of ratification of the inheritance claim by Duke Heinrich

Article 17: Provision in the event that Heinrich refuses to ratify the inheritance arrangement; settlement with the involvement of an impartial mediator mentioned

Text reference to past events

Articles 2-3: Mention of the inheritance of Duke George of Saxony […]

Further contracts between contracting parties

Alliance between John Frederick of Saxony and Philip of Hesse against the Duke of Brunswick July 20, 1542 - Recess between John Frederick of Saxony and Philip of Hesse on joint leadership of the Schmalkaldic League troops July 4, 1546

Commentary

The original treaty does not have numbered articles.

References

• Archive copy: HStA Drd 10001, O.U. 10968
• Contract language archive copy: German

Recommended citation

Dynastische Eheverträge der frühen Neuzeit. Contract No. 234. Philipps University of Marburg. Available online at https://dynastische-ehevertraege.online.uni-marburg.de/en/vertraege/234.html.

@misc{ Dynastische Ehevertr{“a}ge der fr{”u}hen Neuzeit, 
title = {Dynastische Ehevertr{“a}ge der fr{”u}hen Neuzeit: Contract No. 234},
 url = {https://dynastische-ehevertraege.online.uni-marburg.de/en/vertraege/234.html}
}