Marriage contract no. 279: Brandenburg - Brandenburg-Küstrin

Contract content

1 – Preamble: Marriage confirms the family relationship and promotes the welfare of both countries and peoples

2 – Dowry and wedding date agreed: The date of the wedding is set for the Sunday after St Martin’s Day in 1567; betrothal on the next Michaelmas Day in 1556; dowry of 20,000 guilders guaranteed and its payment stipulated

3 – Renunciation of inheritance by the bride: Bride renounces her paternal inheritance as long as there are male heirs

4 – Trousseau promised

5 – Donatio propter nuptias regulated: Donatio propter nuptias of equal value; investment of trousseau and donatio propter nuptias regulated; mornig gift stipulated; Leibgedinge stipulated

6 – Regulations regarding the widow’s dower: Widow’s dower is handed over upon the death of the spouse; corresponding tributes regulated

7 – Procedure in the event of damage to the widow’s dower

8 – Protection of the widow’s dower guaranteed, inspection before the wedding night by the bride’s family

9 – Regulations regarding deaths: ownership and use of the Leibgedinge remains with the groom in the event of the bride’s death without heirs; trousseau reverts to the bride’s family after the groom’s death

10 – Provisions regarding the administration of the dowry in the event of the death of the bride and groom

11 – Waiver of homage in the dower on the part of the groom

12 – Regulation in the event that joint heirs die before the bride and groom

13 – Dowry and donation propter nuptias become inheritable if joint heirs survive the bride or groom

14 – If the groom dies, the bride shall dispose of the dowry, the donatio propter nuptias and the widow’s dower

15 – Regulations concerning the trousseau; the inventory of the widow’s dower shall be handed over to the bride in the form in which it existed at the time of the groom’s death

16 – Regulations concerning the widow’s remarriage; redemption of the widow’s dower regulated

17 – Further regulations on redemption, homage and interest

18 – Regulation in the event that the groom dies in the presence of joint heirs, but they die before the bride without their own heirs

19 – Regulations on life estate and widow’s dower: life estate shall be confirmed in writing; provisions on personal debts

20 – The bride may not sell the widow’s dower without the knowledge and consent of the groom’s family

21 – The life estate is available for the bride’s use only

22 – Ecclesiastical and secular fiefs of the dower may be used by the bride, with the exception of knightly fiefs

23 – Further regulations in the event of remarriage: the right to grant fiefs on the dower remains with the House of Brandenburg

24 – The groom’s family may access the dowry for war purposes

25 – The costs and organisation of the trousseau are borne by the bride’s father; the trousseau is handed over on the trousseau

26 – Validity or invalidity of the contract: if the bride or groom dies before consummation, the contract is void; mutual promise to abide by the above

27 – Two texts with the same content, signed and sealed; both parties receive a copy; date and signature

Regulations on inheritance law

3 – Renunciation of inheritance by the bride: Bride renounces her paternal inheritance as long as there are male heirs

Ratifications, confirmations, approvals

27 – Two texts with the same content, signed and sealed; both parties receive a copy; date and signature

Commentary

Contrary to the wording of the contract, the marriage did not take place until three years later, in 1570.

References

• Archive copy: GStA PK BHP, Rep. 32, N¹ 4
• Contract language archive copy: German ### Recommended citation

Dynastische Eheverträge der frühen Neuzeit. Contract No. 279. Philipps University of Marburg. Available online at https://dynastische-ehevertraege.online.uni-marburg.de/en/vertraege/279.html.

@misc{ Dynastische Ehevertr{“a}ge der fr{”u}hen Neuzeit, 
title = {Dynastische Ehevertr{“a}ge der fr{”u}hen Neuzeit: Contract No. 279},
 url = {https://dynastische-ehevertraege.online.uni-marburg.de/en/vertraege/279.html}
}