Marriage contract no. 356: Baden-Baden - Bayern

Contract content

Preamble: Names of the marriage partners and parties involved; marriage for the purpose of maintaining friendship

Article 1: Promise of marriage

Article 2: Dowry regulated: amounting to 32,000 guilders; bride’s trousseau regulated; wedding at the expense of Albrecht V.

Article 3: Renunciation of inheritance by the bride

Article 4: Donatio propter nuptias of equal value; investment of dowry and donatio propter nuptias in the town and office of Ettlingen; the dower includes the goods of an agreement between the brothers Bernhard and Ernst von Baden, according to which the Pforzheim part owes an annual supplement of wine and fruit; the burnt-down Ettlingen Castle is to be rebuilt for the bride

Article 5: Homage paid by officials in the dower regulated

Article 6: Encumbrances on the dower regulated

Article 7: The subjects in the dower are to be left in their liberties

Article 8: Reservations of the groom regarding the dower; replacement of the dower

Article 9: Protection of the dower

Article 10: Prohibition of pledging; regulation of repairs to the dower

Article 11: The dower shall generate a life estate of 3,200 guilders; surpluses are not the property of the bride

Article 12: Death, groom dies before bride: guardianship of any children according to common law of the empire; commencement of the dower regulated

Article 13: Remarriage of the widow regulated: redemption of the dower possible; reversion of dowry and donation propter nuptias in the event of death without joint heirs

Article 14: The widow’s dower is used as collateral for the repayment of the marriage property

Article 15: Death, bride dies before groom: lifelong right of use of dowry and donation propter nuptias by the groom

Article 16: Regulations regarding monetary debts incurred

Article 17: Morning gift regulated: 10,000 guilders; investment regulated; inheritance

Article 18: The groom guarantees the bride 500 guilders annually in addition to the morning gift

Article 19: Creation of a register regarding morning gifts and widow’s dower

Article 20: Confirmation of the emperor regarding the widow’s dower assets sought

Article 21: Nullity of the contract in the event of the death of one of the two marriage partners before consummation

Article 22: Transfer of the bride regulated

Article 23: Ratification of the contract confirmed; Christoff, Margrave of Baden, acts as witness; promise to abide by the above; date, place and signatures

Regulations on inheritance law

Article 3: Renunciation of inheritance by the bride regulated

Article 13: Remarriage of the widow regulated: redemption of the widow’s estate possible; reversion of dowry and donation propter nuptias in the event of death without joint heirs

Article 17: Morning gift regulated: 10,000 guilders; investment regulated; inheritance

External authorities involved

Article 20: Confirmation of the Emperor regarding the widow’s estate sought

Article 23: Ratification of the contract confirmed; Christoff, Margrave of Baden, acts as witness

Ratifications, confirmations, approvals

Article 23: Ratification of the contract confirmed; Christoff, Margrave of Baden, acts as witness; promise to abide by the above; date, place and signatures

References

• Archive copy: GLAK, 46, No. 2104
• Contract language archive copy: German

Recommended citation

Dynastische Eheverträge der frühen Neuzeit. Contract No. 356. Philipps University of Marburg. Available online at https://dynastische-ehevertraege.online.uni-marburg.de/en/vertraege/356.html.

@misc{ Dynastische Ehevertr{“a}ge der fr{”u}hen Neuzeit, 
title = {Dynastische Ehevertr{“a}ge der fr{”u}hen Neuzeit: Contract No. 356},
 url = {https://dynastische-ehevertraege.online.uni-marburg.de/en/vertraege/356.html}
}