Marriage contract no. 90: Polen - Kurpfalz

Contract content

[Pre] – out of special concern for the whole world and especially for his kingdoms: Intention to preserve friendship with neighbouring peoples and to ensure the freedom of other peoples, intention to strengthen peace and general security through mutual marriages and honest assistance – Decision of the father of the groom and the groom to enter into a particularly beneficial marriage: in view of the splendour of the Palatinate House throughout the world, the family ties of Elector Philipp Wilhelm to all the families of Europe, and the hopes for his descendants in all the orphaned realms – in memory of the old friendship with the Polish nation, the descent of the bride’s mother from the Jagiellonian dynasty, and the marriage of the bride’s brother to the Radziwill family: Expression of consent by Elector Philipp Wilhelm to the courtship and imperial mediation – after the death of Elector Philipp Wilhelm before the conclusion of the contract: Consent of the bride’s brother expressed out of affection for the Polish royal family, appointment of negotiators, conclusion of contract announced (169f.)

1 – Marriage vows exchanged: for the bride, by the groom, wedding according to Catholic rites and transfer of the bride arranged

2 – Dowry determined: repayment guaranteed if necessary

3 – Donatio propter nuptias and allowance determined: use of dowry, donatio propter nuptias and allowance by groom regulated for life, regulated as hereditary property of the surviving spouse, inheritance by children regulated

4 – Maintenance for bride and her court during the marriage regulated

5 – After the death of the groom: widow’s pension regulated, ownership of the bride’s dowry, donatio propter nuptias, allowance and supplement regulated, additional subsidy from Silesia guaranteed with imperial approval to the groom’s hereditary right

6 – Further widow’s income in Poland guaranteed

7 – Maintenance of children regulated: excluded from widow’s allowance – free choice of residence for the bride during widowhood guaranteed, widow’s residence in Poland regulated if necessary

8 – Marriage and transfer of the bride regulated: date reserved

9 – Renunciation of inheritance by the bride regulated: before marriage, to inheritance and succession rights of the Palatinate house, to fiefdoms and allodial estates, except in the event of extinction of the male line, following the example of the bride’s sisters

10 – Compliance guaranteed

11 – Ratification regulated

Regulations on succession to the throne

Renunciation of inheritance by the bride regulated: before marriage, to the inheritance and succession rights of the Palatinate House, to fiefdoms and allodial estates - 9

Confessional regulations

1 – Marriage vows exchanged: for bride, by groom, marriage ceremony according to Catholic rite and transfer of the bride regulated - 1

Regulations on inheritance law

Maintenance and allowance stipulated: use of donatio propter nuptias, maintenance and allowance by groom regulated for life, hereditary property of surviving spouse, inheritance by children regulated - 3

After the death of the groom: widow’s pension regulated, bride’s ownership of dowry, donatio propter nuptias, allowance and supplement regulated, additional subsidy from Silesia guaranteed with imperial approval to the groom’s hereditary right - 5

Renunciation of inheritance by the bride: before marriage, to inheritance and succession rights of the Palatinate house, to fiefdoms and allodial estates, except in the event of extinction of the male line, following the example of the bride’s sisters - 9

External authorities involved

Imperial mediation mentioned – Pre, subsidy for widow’s pension with imperial approval mentioned – 5

Ratifications, confirmations, approvals

Ratification regulated – 11

Commentary

The day and month of the conclusion of the contract are not specified in CTS 19, pp. 169-175.

References

• Print reference: CTS 19, pp. 169-175
• Contract language print: Latin

Recommended citation

Dynastische Eheverträge der frühen Neuzeit. Contract No. 90. Philipps University of Marburg. Available online at https://dynastische-ehevertraege.online.uni-marburg.de/en/vertraege/90.html.

@misc{ Dynastische Ehevertr{“a}ge der fr{”u}hen Neuzeit, 
title = {Dynastische Ehevertr{“a}ge der fr{”u}hen Neuzeit: Contract No. 90},
 url = {https://dynastische-ehevertraege.online.uni-marburg.de/en/vertraege/90.html}
}