Marriage contract no. 301: Spanien - Österreich

  • Date of contract conclusion: 24. September 1598
  • Place of contract conclusion: Graz

Groom

  • Name: Philipp III. von Spanien
  • GND: 118593846
  • Year of Birth: 1578
  • Year of Death: 1621
  • Dynasty: Habsburg (Spanien)
  • Confession: Katholisch

Bride

  • Name: Margarete von Österreich
  • GND: 104189584
  • Year of Birth: 1584
  • Year of Death: 1611
  • Dynasty: Habsburg (Österreich)
  • Confession: Katholisch

Actors of the Groom

  • Name: Philipp II. von Spanien
  • GND: 118593862
  • Dynasty: Habsburg (Spanien)
  • Relationship: Vater

Actors of the Bride

  • Name: Maria Anna von Bayern
  • GND: 104116277
  • Dynasty: Wittelsbach
  • Relationship: Mutter
  • Name: Ferdinand II., Kaiser
  • GND: 118532510
  • Dynasty: Habsburg (Österreich)
  • Relationship: Bruder

Contract content

Preamble: Confirmation of the treaty by the Spanish side: Treaty for the good of Christendom and the strengthening of the House; negotiations attested; naming of the actors; naming of the authorised negotiators on the Spanish side; confirmation of the treaty by the Austrian side: naming of the actors; naming of the authorised negotiators on the Austrian side

1 – Papal dispensation granted

2 – The marriage is initially concluded per procuratorem

3 – Dowry of 100,000 crowns; payment regulated

4 – Arrha, donation propter nuptias and dower together guaranteed by the groom in the same amount

5 – Investment of the entire dowry in locations in Spain not yet specified

6 – Mornig gift of 50,000 crowns by the groom

7 – Maintenance of the bride regulated; must be in accordance with her status

8 – Bride survives husband with or without children: In addition to the income from the dowry and donation propter nuptias, the bride is awarded 40,000 crowns annually if she remains a widow and lives in Spain

9 – Widow’s residence regulated: The widow must be granted castles and towns as her residence, with jurisdiction, the right to hold office and other rights

10 – If the bride, as a widow, moves her place of residence outside Spain, her dower is reduced by 20,000 crowns

11 – Bride dies before groom with children: The children inherit the donation propter nuptias, dowry and widow’s dower; bride dies before groom without children: The bride may freely dispose of one third of the arrha (probably by will)

12 – Renunciation of inheritance by the bride is mentioned; the bride shall express this in a form determined by her brother and mother

13 – Renewed mention of the negotiating officials; promise by the parties to abide by the above; drafting of the document in Spanish and Latin; signatures and seals

Regulations on inheritance law

12 – Renunciation of inheritance by the bride is mentioned; the bride shall express this in a form determined by her brother and mother

External authorities involved

1 – Papal dispensation granted

Ratifications, confirmations, approvals

13 – Signatures and seals

References