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 county of Eisenberg; if male heirs establish their own court or Eisenberg is not sufficient to cover the life estate of 4,000 guilders, additional income from the counties of Ronneburg and Roda 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