Marriage contract no. 295: Ferrara - Österreich

  • Date of contract conclusion: 17. Januar 1565
  • Place of contract conclusion: Ferrara

Groom

  • Name: Alfons II. von Ferrara
  • GND: 117252824
  • Year of Birth: 1533
  • Year of Death: 1597
  • Dynasty: Este
  • Confession: Katholisch

Bride

  • Name: Barbara von Österreich
  • GND: 132831643
  • Year of Birth: 1539
  • Year of Death: 1572
  • Dynasty: Habsburg (Österreich)
  • Confession: Katholisch

Actors of the Groom

  • Name: Alfons II. von Ferrara
  • GND: 117252824
  • Dynasty: Este
  • Relationship: /

Actors of the Bride

  • Name: Maximilian II., Kaiser
  • GND: 11857938X
  • Dynasty: Habsburg (Österreich)
  • Relationship: Bruder

Contract content

Preamble: Alfonso II confirms the ratification of the contract; Maximilian II confirms the ratification of the contract; both mention the continuation of negotiations after the death of the bride’s father Ferdinand I a year earlier; the marriage takes place at the request of Alfonso II and the King of Spain; naming of the authorised representatives

1 – Dowry of 100,000 guilders, payment regulated

2 – Investment of the dowry regulated; 5,000 guilders are to be earned from the investment for the bride

3 – Alfonso II guarantees the bride a life annuity and dower of 10,000 scudi per annum; the bride may dispose of the associated property from the time of marriage; if the groom dies before the bride with children: the widow may remain on the widow’s dower with her children; if the groom dies before the bride without children: the widow shall be paid the aforementioned amount, regardless of her place of residence, which she is free to choose, as long as she remains a widow

4 – Remarriage of the widow regulated; redemption of the dower regulated

5 – If the dower is not sufficient to cover the life estate, a replacement shall be provided

6 – Amount of the bride’s dowry and its inheritable nature regulated

7 – Renunciation of inheritance rights by the bride to her father’s property if there are male heirs

8 – Signing of the contract by the imperial side on 16 October 1564; promise to abide by the above; signing of the contract by the Ferrara side on 17 January 1565

Regulations on inheritance law

7 – Renunciation of inheritance rights by the bride to her father’s property if there are male heirs

References

  • Archive copy: AT-OeStA/HHStA UR FUK 1351
  • Contract language archive copy: Latin