Marriage contract no. 84: Frankreich - Schottland

Contract content

[Preamble] – old and well-known alliances and friendships between the two kingdoms proclaimed – goodwill between monarchs arising from this, joint perception of their affairs and willingness to pursue a common destiny in war and peace proclaimed – marriages of the bride’s father to Madeleine of France and the bride’s mother proclaimed: at the instigation of King Francis I of France, for the preservation and growth of friendship, for the renewal of the alliance, the birth of the bride – the protection of Scotland by the French king: after the death of the bride’s father, to defend against the English – Education of the bride in France: to remove the underage bride from the reach of the English, with the consent of the bride’s mother and the Scottish estates, for marriage to the groom – after reaching marriageable age: Decision to marry by the groom’s parents, appointment of negotiators announced – Conclusion of contract announced: with the consent of the groom’s parents, the bride’s mother and the bride, in accordance with the preliminary contract of Haddington 07.07.1548 and before witnesses (22 li – re)

[1] – Church wedding set for 24 April 1558 (22 re)

[2] – Community of property agreed according to French law (22 re)

[3] – Widow’s income regulated: amount dependent on the groom’s succession to the throne in France, paid from dominions and possessions in France, rights of use regulated, following the example of Queen Dowager Eleanor of Castile (22 re – 23 li)

[4] – Maintenance for bride and groom during marriage regulated (23 li)

[5] – Bride’s right of deduction as widow regulated: disposal of personal property regulated (23 li)

[6] – Regulated succession to the throne for children: for the eldest son in France and Scotland at the same time, for daughters only in Scotland, regulated marriage of the eldest daughter with the consent of the French king and the Scottish estates, French trousseau for daughters stipulated in return for renunciation of inheritance (23 li)

[7] – In return: oath of allegiance by the Scottish estates to the groom and Scottish heirs to the throne assured (23 li)

[8] – Legal status and title of groom as King of Scotland regulated (23 li)

[9] – Compliance assured (23 li)

[10] – Marriage vows exchanged: with the consent of the groom’s parents, the bride’s mother and the Scottish estates (23 li)

[11] – Ratification regulated: in the chambers of parliament of both kingdoms and in the Scottish Senate (23 li)

Regulations on succession to the throne

Widow’s income regulated: amount dependent on the groom’s succession to the throne in France - 3

Succession to the throne by children regulated: for the eldest son in France and Scotland at the same time, for the daughter only in Scotland - 6

Oath of allegiance by the Scottish estates to the groom and Scottish heir to the throne assured – 7

Legal status and title of groom as King of Scotland regulated – 8

Regulations on inheritance law

Succession of the children regulated: for the eldest son in France and Scotland at the same time, for the daughter only in Scotland, marriage of the eldest daughter regulated with the consent of the French king and the Scottish estates, French trousseau for daughters stipulated in return for renunciation of inheritance - 6

Estates involved

Marriage of the eldest daughter regulated with the consent of the French king and the Scottish estates - 6, oath of allegiance of the Scottish estates to the groom and Scottish heirs to the throne assured - 7, marriage vows exchanged: with the consent of the Scottish estates - 10

Ratifications, confirmations, approvals

Ratification arranged: in the parliamentary chambers of both kingdoms and in the Scottish Senate - 11

Text reference to past events

Treaty of Haddington 07.07.1548 mentioned - Pre

Further contracts between contracting parties

Treaty of Haddington 07.07.1548

Declaration of Fontainebleau 04.04.1558

Literature

Bryce 1907, p. 45 - Donaldson 1971, p. 79

References

• Print reference: Dumont 1726-1739, vol. V:1, p. 22 f.
• Contract language print: French
• Digitalized rint: https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k1262878n/f70.item

Recommended citation

Dynastische Eheverträge der frühen Neuzeit. Contract No. 84. Philipps University of Marburg. Available online at https://dynastische-ehevertraege.online.uni-marburg.de/en/vertraege/84.html.

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title = {Dynastische Ehevertr{“a}ge der fr{”u}hen Neuzeit: Contract No. 84},
 url = {https://dynastische-ehevertraege.online.uni-marburg.de/en/vertraege/84.html}
}