Marriage contract no. 344: Sachsen-Eisenberg - Hessen-Darmstadt

  • Date of contract conclusion: 8. Februar 1681
  • Place of contract conclusion: Darmstadt

Groom

  • Name: Christian von Sachsen-Eisenberg
  • GND: 119052520
  • Year of Birth: 1653
  • Year of Death: 1707
  • Dynasty: Wettin (Ernestiner)
  • Confession: lutherisch

Bride

  • Name: Sophia Maria von Hessen-Darmstadt
  • GND: 121279642
  • Year of Birth: 1661
  • Year of Death: 1712
  • Dynasty: Hessen-Darmstadt
  • Confession: lutherisch

Actors of the Groom

  • Name: Christian von Sachsen-Eisenberg
  • GND: 119052520
  • Dynasty: Wettin (Ernestiner)
  • Relationship: /

Actors of the Bride

  • Name: Elisabeth Dorothea von Sachsen-Gotha
  • GND: 101508298
  • Dynasty: Wettin (Ernestiner)
  • Relationship: Stiefmutter

Contract content

Preamble: Purpose of marriage; naming of the marriage partners and parties involved

1 – Mutual promise to marry

2 – Dowry regulated: 20,000 guilders, payment regulated; bride’s trousseau regulated: according to custom in the house

3 – Bride’s renunciation of inheritance regulated; exception if there are no male heirs; waiver does not apply to private inheritances

4 – Morning gift regulated: 2000 guilders, interest regulated, inheritance regulated

5 – In addition to the interest from the morning gift, the bride receives 600 guilders as a pin money; pin money is forfeited upon reaching widowhood

6 – Donatio propter nuptias of 20,000 guilders; investment of donatio propter nuptias and dowry at the Eisenberg office; if male heirs establish their own court or Eisenberg is not sufficient to cover the life annuity of 4,000 guilders, additional income from the Ronneburg and Roda offices may be added; consent of the bride’s brothers

7 – Some high regalia belonging to the authorities are excluded from the widow’s dower

8 – The widow retains the right to appoint church and school servants in the widow’s dower, provided they are Lutheran; the office of superintendent is excluded from this

9 – Homage in the widow’s dower is regulated; the bride shall leave the subjects in their liberties

10 – Groom declares protection of the dower

11 – Relief of the dower from debts guaranteed

12 – Entry into the dower regulated; securing of natural produce in the dower upon entry

13 – Trousseau of the widow’s residence upon moving in specified: concerns furniture and structural condition; creation of an inventory

14 – Bride’s maintenance obligations specified

15 – Firewood supply for the dower regulated

16 – Delivery of game for the dower regulated

17 – Provision of literate noble servants for the dower regulated

18 – Prohibition on giving away or pledging the dower

19 – If the bride dies before the groom: Usufruct of the spouse’s trousseau and dowry; does not apply to items that the bride has bequeathed in her will

20 – Inheritance of the silver tableware mutually gifted during the wedding night

21 – Groom dies before bride: Guardianship regulated, widow’s dower guaranteed

22 – Remarriage of the bride regulated: redemption of the dower regulated

23 – Children from a second marriage are to be taken into account in the inheritance of the dowry

24 – Reversion of the dower in the event of the widow’s death without joint heirs regulated

25 – Regulation regarding debts

26 – Nullity of the contract in the event of the death of one of the two marriage partners before consummation

27 – Promise to abide by the contract; date; signatures; seal

Confessional regulations

8 – Widow retains the right in the widow’s dower to appoint church and school servants, provided they are Lutheran;

Regulations on inheritance law

3 – Renunciation of inheritance by the bride regulated; exception if there are no male heirs; renunciation does not apply to private inheritances

4 – Morning gift regulated: inheritance regulated

19 – If the bride dies before the groom: Usufruct of the spouse’s trousseau and dowry; does not apply to items that the bride has bequeathed by will

20 – Inheritance of the silver tableware mutually gifted during the wedding night

23 – Children from a second marriage are to be taken into account in the inheritance of the dowry

Ratifications, confirmations, approvals

27 – Signatures; seals

References