Marriage contract no. 374: Pommern-Settin - Braunschweig-Wolfenbüttel

Contract content

Preamble: Invocation of God; marriage to strengthen the houses of Brunswick and Pomerania, mention of consultation with Hedwig’s mother, the dowager duchess Elisabeth of Brunswick and Lüneburg from the royal house of Denmark; wedding to take place according to Christian rites, consummation mentioned

Article 1: After consummation of the marriage, Friedrich Ulrich is to pay the dowry of 20,000 guilders within one year; trousseau described; renunciation of inheritance mentioned

Article 2: Ulrich undertakes to pay a morning gift after consummation of the marriage, 6,000 talers in principal or 200 talers annually

Article 3: Donatio propter nuptias of 20,000 guilders agreed; widow’s residence and offices in Neustettin mentioned, the income from which is to amount to 4,000 guilders, any shortfall to be made up from the princely chambers, any income in excess of this to be paid to Hedwig

Article 4: Hereditary homage and oaths mentioned in connection with the dower, dower prescription mentioned

Article 5: Reservation of the heirs and descendants to decide on the opening and closing of the offices in emergencies

Article 6: Inspection of the dower offices by Friedrich Ulrich scheduled for this purpose, with the support of Ulrich

Article 7: The subjects of the office shall be able to retain their secular and spiritual customs and rights

Article 8: The dower offices may not be opened, handed over, lent or encumbered to others without the knowledge of Duke Ulrich’s heirs and descendants; the widow must only ensure that the properties are structurally maintained

Article 9: Renunciation of inheritance regulated, letter of renunciation mentioned; however, this shall not apply if there are no male heirs with a corresponding claim

Article 10: If Hedwig dies without issue after consummation of the marriage, Ulrich shall be entitled to the 20,000 guilders dowry until the end of his life; after his death, this must be paid to Duke Friedrich Ulrich and his heirs; until payment is made, Friedrich Ulrich and his heirs may receive an annual income of 2,000 guilders from the aforementioned offices and properties; the oaths of the officials, administrators and subjects shall also remain in force until this payment has been made

Article 11: Inheritance of the morning gift regulated

Article 12: Silver tableware and jewels left behind by Hedwig shall belong to Ulrich until his death, as long as Hedwig has not disposed of them otherwise; after Ulrich’s death, however, they shall revert to Friedrich Ulrich and his heirs

Article 13: However, if the couple should produce legitimate heirs who die before the death of both of them or before the death of Hedwig and have not produced any legitimate heirs of their own, the dowry shall be handled as described above

Article 14: However, should these legitimate heirs witness the death of both parents or the death of Hedwig, they shall receive a hereditary right to the marriage property, silverware and jewels, as well as other legacies.

Article 15: Should Ulrich die before his wife, minor and underage heirs shall be placed under guardianship in the traditional manner and the widow shall be able to move into her widow’s residence immediately.

Article 16: Upon moving into the widow’s residence, Hedwig shall be provided with wood for building, burning and brewing; as long as she does not change her widowhood, she shall receive her annual income without hindrance; furthermore, she shall be provided with a trousseau for one year, including beer, wine, grain and household appliances

Article 17: If she changes her widowhood and remarries, the widow’s estate shall be redeemed for 20,000 guilders and 6,000 talers; However, Hedwig may also be paid 2,000 guilders annually instead of the redemption; after her death, however, the Donatio propter nuptias shall accrue to the joint heirs.

Article 18: If children are also born from the next marriage, the dowry and other legacies shall be divided equally between the children from both marriages; the widow’s dower shall then be transferred to Ulrich’s heirs and descendants.

Article 19: However, if there are no living heirs at the time of Hedwig’s death, the reversion shall be in favour of Friedrich Ulrich and his heirs.

Article 20: Hedwig cannot be burdened with her husband’s debts; at least 12 nobles shall attend the office.

Article 21: Both parties promise to abide by the points set out in the contract; prescriptions and consents of Ulrich’s brothers and cousins are mentioned; signatures

Regulations on inheritance law

Article 9: Renunciation of inheritance is regulated, letter of renunciation is mentioned; however, this does not apply if there are no male heirs with a corresponding claim

Article 11: Inheritance of the morning gift regulated

Article 12: Silver tableware and jewels left behind by Hedwig shall be entitled to Ulrich until his death, as long as Hedwig has not disposed of them otherwise; however, after Ulrich’s death, these shall revert to Friedrich Ulrich and his heirs

Article 13: If the couple should produce legitimate heirs who die before the death of both parents or before the death of Hedwig and have not produced any legitimate heirs of their own, the dowry shall be handled as described above

Article 14: However, if these legitimate heirs should witness the death of both parents or the death of Hedwig, they shall receive a hereditary right to the marriage property, silverware and jewels, as well as other legacies.

Article 18: If children are also born from the next marriage, the dowry and other legacies shall be divided equally between the children from both marriages; the widow’s estate shall then be transferred to Ulrich’s heirs and descendants.

Article 19: However, if there are no living heirs at the time of Hedwig’s death, the reversion shall be in favour of Friedrich Ulrich and his heirs.

External authorities involved

Article 21: Both parties promise to abide by the points set out in the contract; prescriptions and consents of Ulrich’s brothers and cousins mentioned; signatures

Ratifications, confirmations, approvals

Article 21: Both parties promise to abide by the points set out in the contract; prescriptions and consents of Ulrich’s brothers and cousins mentioned; signatures

Commentary

Original contract not divided into articles.

References

• Archive copy: NLA WO 3 Urk 4 No. 46
• Contract language archive copy: German

Recommended citation

Dynastische Eheverträge der frühen Neuzeit. Contract No. 374. Philipps University of Marburg. Available online at https://dynastische-ehevertraege.online.uni-marburg.de/en/vertraege/374.html.

@misc{ Dynastische Ehevertr{“a}ge der fr{”u}hen Neuzeit, 
title = {Dynastische Ehevertr{“a}ge der fr{”u}hen Neuzeit: Contract No. 374},
 url = {https://dynastische-ehevertraege.online.uni-marburg.de/en/vertraege/374.html}
}