Marriage contract no. 291: Pommern-Stettin - Brandenburg

  • Date of contract conclusion: 21. April 1581
  • Place of contract conclusion: Cölln an der Spree

Groom

  • Name: Barnim X. von Pommern-Stettin
  • GND: 102324204
  • Year of Birth: 1549
  • Year of Death: 1603
  • Dynasty: Greifen (Pommern-Stettin)
  • Confession: lutherisch

Bride

  • Name: Anna Maria von Brandenburg
  • GND: 1251920225
  • Year of Birth: 1567
  • Year of Death: 1618
  • Dynasty: Hohenzollern (Brandenburg)
  • Confession: lutherisch

Actors of the Groom

  • Name: Barnim X. von Pommern-Stettin
  • GND: 102324204
  • Dynasty: Greifen
  • Relationship: /

Actors of the Bride

  • Name: Johann Georg von Brandenburg
  • GND: 102111588
  • Dynasty: Hohenzollern (Brandenburg)
  • Relationship: Vater

Contract content

Preamble: A marriage to the praise and glory of the Almighty and for the preservation, promotion, and strengthening of the friendship between the two countries

1 – Mutual Vows of Marriage

2 – Dowry of 20,000; provisions regarding the bride’s trousseau

3 – Donatio propter nuptias of 20,000 guilders; Life estate of 4,000 guilders annually from the county of Bütow; provisions regarding the dower: rights of use; appointment of officials; compensation; transfer; protection; inspection of the dower

4 – Morning gift stipulated; spousal support stipulated

5 – Renunciation of inheritance by the wife, with the exception that there are no male heirs in her family

6 – Deaths; in the event of the wife’s death without direct heirs: the husband has the right of use; trousseau to Brandenburg; provisions regarding repayments

7 – Homage obligations clarified in the event of the husband’s death within the dower

8 – Inheritance regulated in the event that the wife produces direct heirs, but they die without having produced heirs of their own

9 – Provisions regarding inheritance if lineal heirs have heirs of their own: The dowry and the donatio propter nuptias are inheritable

10 – If the husband dies with or without an heir, the wife may claim the donatio propter nuptias from the moment of his death

11 – Provisions regarding the bride’s remarriage: Redemption is possible

12 – If both the wife and husband die, the dowry and trousseau passes to the wife’s family

13 – The husband’s debts do not affect the wife

14 – The dower may not be sold

15 – Provisions regarding service in knightly, ecclesiastical, and secular fiefs

16 – Provisions regarding tithes and taxes on the widow’s dower

17 – Assurance by those present to abide by the foregoing

Regulations on inheritance law

5 – Renunciation of inheritance by the wife, with the exception that there are no male heirs in her family

References

  • Archive copy: GStA PK BPH, Rep. 31 W10
  • Contract language archive copy: German