Marriage contract no. 320: Sachsen - Braunschweig-Lüneburg-Wolfenbüttel

Contract content

Preamble – Invocation of God, declaration of the union of both houses through marriage according to Christian rites in Dresden next year, also with the advice and consent of August’s brother Johann Georg

Article 1 - After consummation of the marriage, a dowry of 20,000 guilders, provided that renunciation of inheritance has been settled by then, as well as princely jewelry, treasures, silverware, and clothing as a trousseau

Article 2 - After consummation of the marriage, a morning gift of 6,000 guilders in principal or an annual hereditary pension of 300 guilders

Article 3 - A donation propter nuptias of 20,000 guilders is agreed

Article 4 – The house and office in Senftenberg selected as the widow’s residence, to yield an annual income of 4,000 guilders; if the yield is lower, the widow shall be reimbursed for the shortfall; the widow’s servants shall be financed from the funds of Duke August and his heirs.

Article 5 – Mention of the widow’s pension.

Article 6 – Confirmation that Duke August and his heirs shall, however, enjoy privileges in the management of the widow’s estate in emergencies

Article 7 - Before the marriage, inspections of the widow’s estate shall also take place in order to assess its status and economic viability; in the event of any deficiencies, Duke August and his heirs shall be responsible for remedying them or providing compensation for economic losses

Article 8 - Emphasis on the secular and spiritual freedoms of the subjects on the widow’s estate

Article 9 – Elisabeth is not authorized to open the dower estates to others or to share associated property with others unless August and his heirs give their consent.

Article 10 – Renunciation of inheritance regulated, corresponding letter mentioned; however, Elisabeth and her heirs are entitled to claim if there are no suitable male heirs of her father in the event of his death.

Article 11 - If Elisabeth dies after consummation of the marriage and there are no legitimate heirs, August shall have access to the 20,000 guilders dowry for the rest of his life; in the event of his death, however, these shall revert to Heinrich Julius and his heirs

Article 12 - Until the dowry has been repaid to Heinrich Julius and his heirs, they shall receive 2,000 guilders annually from the dower estates; officials shall also remain in service for as long as this is the case.

Article 13 - In the event of Elisabeth’s death, the 6,000 guilders of the morning gift and the corresponding annual interest shall also remain with August and the joint heirs, unless Elisabeth has disposed of them otherwise in her will.

Article 14 An inventory of the trousseau shall be made, and the corresponding items shall belong to August until his death, in which case they shall revert to Heinrich Julius and his heirs.

Article 15 - If joint heirs should survive the death of both parents or Elisabeth, the 20,000 guilders of marriage money, as well as jewels and silverware, shall be and remain hereditary.

Article 16 - If August should predecease Elisabeth and there are joint heirs who are still minors, they shall be placed under guardianship in accordance with customary practice.

Article 17 - As long as Elisabeth does not change her widowhood status, she shall be entitled to receive the 4,000 guilders life annuity and widow’s pension without hindrance.

Article 18 - Appropriate trousseau for the widow’s residence are regulated; if she should remarry, she shall be released from the 20,000 guilders dowry and morning gift, but if the donation propter nuptias is not paid, she shall receive 2,000 guilders annually.

Article 19 – If children are also born from a subsequent marriage, the inheritance of the 20,000 guilders dowry shall be payable to the children of both marriages.

Article 20 - As soon as Elisabeth has been paid the 20,000 guilders dowry, she shall leave the widow’s residence and release her subjects and officials from their oaths and vows and hand over the widow’s deed to August’s heirs.

Article 21 - Revocation regulated in the event that Elisabeth has no suitable heirs.

Article 22 - Elisabeth shall also not be burdened with any debts that August may have incurred before or after the consummation of the marriage; however, she shall not make any further claims beyond the dower, morning gift, silverware, jewels, and other items described.

Article 23 – In the event of death before consummation of the marriage, the contract shall be invalid

Article 24 – Final promise of fidelity by both parties

Regulations on succession to the throne

Confessional regulations

Article 8 - Emphasis on the secular and spiritual freedoms of the subjects on the widow’s estate

Regulations on inheritance law

Article 10 – Renunciation of inheritance regulated, corresponding letter mentioned; however, Elisabeth and her heirs are entitled to claim if there are no suitable male heirs of her father in the event of his death.

Article 11 - If Elisabeth dies after consummation of the marriage and there are no legitimate heirs, August shall have access to the 20,000 guilders dowry for the rest of his life; in the event of his death, however, these shall revert to Heinrich Julius and his heirs

Article 13 - In the event of Elisabeth’s death, the 6,000 guilders of the morning gift and the corresponding annual interest shall also remain with August and the joint heirs, unless Elisabeth has disposed of them otherwise in her will.

Article 14 An inventory of the trousseau shall be made, and the corresponding items shall belong to August until his death, in which case they shall revert to Heinrich Julius and his heirs.

Article 15 - If joint heirs should survive the death of both parents or Elisabeth, the 20,000 guilders of marriage money, as well as jewels and silverware, shall be and remain hereditary.

Article 16 - If August should predecease Elisabeth and there are joint heirs who are still minors, they shall be placed under guardianship in accordance with customary practice.

Article 19 – If children are also born from a subsequent marriage, the inheritance of the 20,000 guilders dowry shall be payable to the children of both marriages.

Commentary

Original contract not divided into articles.

Literature

References

• Archive copy: NLA WO, 3 Urk, 4 Nr. 32
• Contract language archive copy: German

Recommended citation

Dynastische Eheverträge der frühen Neuzeit. Contract No. 320. Philipps University of Marburg. Available online at https://dynastische-ehevertraege.online.uni-marburg.de/en/vertraege/320.html.

@misc{ Dynastische Ehevertr{“a}ge der fr{”u}hen Neuzeit, 
title = {Dynastische Ehevertr{“a}ge der fr{”u}hen Neuzeit: Contract No. 320},
 url = {https://dynastische-ehevertraege.online.uni-marburg.de/en/vertraege/320.html}
}