Marriage contract no. 239: Sachsen - Brandenburg-Bayreuth

Contract content

Article 1 (pp. 1-2): Marriage decided

Article 2 (p. 2): Consensus of the bride’s parents mentioned, consent of the groom’s parents mentioned

Article 3 (p. 2): Consummated marriage mentioned

Article 4 (pp. 2-3): The dowry amounts to 20,000 guilders or 16,666 2/3 Reichstaler, payment due within one year after consummation of the marriage, receipt required

Article 5 (p. 3): Further payment arrangements if only 15,000 guilders or 12,500 Reichstaler have been paid initially and the 5,000 guilders or 4,166 2/3 Reichstaler are still outstanding, insurance required for sums paid

Article 6 (p. 3): Trousseau (jewels, jewelry, silverware) awarded according to her status

Article 7 (p. 3): Renunciation of inheritance by the bride with the consent of the groom to the paternal and fraternal inheritance, except for a share of the inheritance that may be awarded to her according to her father’s disposition in his will; the bride shall inherit if the male line of her family dies out; in this case, inheritance shall be according to the house law

Article 8 (p. 3): The donatio propter nuptias amounts to 20,000 guilders or 16,666 2/3 Reichstaler

Article 9 (p. 3): The sum of the dowry and the donatio propter nuptias are invested in the Leibgedinge

Article 10 (p. 3-4): The bride’s princely residence is mentioned; at this residence, the bride receives 4,000 guilders or 3,333 1/3 Reichstaler annually as maintenance; any shortfall in maintenance must be compensated

Article 11 (p. 4): Rights (including jurisdiction and hunting rights) and appurtenances on the dower regulated, homage mentioned, knightly services mentioned.

Article 12 (p. 4): Supply of goods guaranteed, reimbursement of missing goods promised.

Article 13 (p. 4): Inventory of the dower required, Chemnitz office mentioned.

Article 14 (p. 4): Inspection of the dower by the bride’s father’s advisors regulated

Article 15 (p. 4-5): After consummation of the marriage, the bride receives an annual allowance of 400 guilders as a morning gift and a piece of jewelry; the bride receives 100 guilders annually for life in addition to her free disposal

Article 16 (p. 5): If the bride dies after consummation of the marriage before the groom and without heirs, or if any joint heirs die earlier: The groom receives the lifelong right of use of the dowry and trousseau; after the groom’s death, this inheritance reverts to the bride’s line

Article 17 (p. 5): If the bride and groom die and have children together and these children die after the death of their parents: the dowry, donatio propter nuptias, etc. shall be inherited by the next heirs

Article 18 (p. 5): If the bride remarries after the death of the groom: The widow’s residence can be redeemed for 40,000 guilders or 33,333 1/3 Reichstaler the payment of 20,000 guilders is to be made immediately, the remaining 20,000 guilders are to bear interest at 3,000 guilders per annum, and the widow’s residence is to be mortgaged to secure the annual pension.

Article 19 (pp. 5-6): The widow’s estate shall not be sold, transferred, or alienated; the widow’s estate shall not be used by others; the condition of the widow’s estate shall be determined

Article 20 (p. 6): If there are joint children: 30,000 guilders or 25,000 Reichstaler shall be set aside, 15,000 guilders or 12,500 Reichstaler of this amount shall be paid, the remaining 15,000 guilders or 12,500 Reichstaler shall be used annually as a pension of 1,500 guilders or 1,250 Reichstaler.

Article 21 (p. 6): The opening and protection of the dower and the subjects is the responsibility of the Elector.

Article 22 (p. 6): Ecclesiastical and other fiefs belonging to the dowry: Right of disposal by the widow, with the exception of knightly fiefs, which are subject to the Elector’s right of disposal.

Article 23 (p. 6): If the dower should be damaged in a fire, the groom and his descendants undertake to furnish the dower and its appurtenances with wood and other goods if these are not available there, as well as to provide assistance, ensuring the original condition and preservation of the dower.

Article 24 (p. 6-7): Protection of the widow and the dower promised, also by representatives and descendants.

Article 25 (p. 7): Compliance with the contract promised.

Article 26 (p. 8): Attached (electoral) princely secret articles mentioned.

Article 27 (p. 8): Councillors named.

Regulations on inheritance law

Article 7 (p. 3): Renunciation of inheritance by the bride with the consent of the groom to the paternal and fraternal inheritance, except for a share of the inheritance that may be awarded to her according to her father’s disposition in his will; the bride shall inherit if the male line of her family dies out; in this case, inheritance shall be according to the house law

Article 16 (para. 5): If the bride dies after consummation of the marriage before the groom and without heirs, or if any joint heirs die earlier: The groom receives the lifelong right of use of the dowry and trousseau; after the death of the groom, this inheritance reverts to the bride’s line.

Article 17 (p. 5): If the bride and groom die and have joint children who die after the death of their parents: dowry, donatio propter nuptias, etc. are inherited by the next heirs.

Commentary

The original contract does not have numbered articles.

References

• Archive copy: HStA Drd 10001 O.U. 13052 (1638 III 2)
• Contract language archive copy: German

Recommended citation

Dynastische Eheverträge der frühen Neuzeit. Contract No. 239. Philipps University of Marburg. Available online at https://dynastische-ehevertraege.online.uni-marburg.de/en/vertraege/239.html.

@misc{ Dynastische Ehevertr{“a}ge der fr{”u}hen Neuzeit, 
title = {Dynastische Ehevertr{“a}ge der fr{”u}hen Neuzeit: Contract No. 239},
 url = {https://dynastische-ehevertraege.online.uni-marburg.de/en/vertraege/239.html}
}