In the past, during the era of castles and feudal lords, a practice known as maritagium existed. This involved the lord having the authority to select a spouse for a young girl. Additionally, the lord could profit by charging individuals who wished to marry. On occasion, the girl’s family would present her with a unique gift upon her marriage, also referred to as maritagium.
Maritagium, a term used in history, refers to the legal right of a lord to arrange a marriage for his infant ward. This means that a feudal lord had the authority to marry off his infant ward, vassal’s heiress, minor heir, or widow, or to demand a fine from a vassal upon their marriage. It also encompasses the income generated from fines paid by vassals for the lord’s consent to marry. Additionally, maritagium can denote a marriage gift or dowry. For instance, if a lord has an infant ward who is a minor, he can arrange their marriage and even demand a fine from the future spouse for permission to marry. Similarly, if a vassal’s heiress is a minor, the lord has the power to give her in marriage to someone of his choice. In the case of a vassal seeking marriage, the lord can extract a fine for granting permission. Furthermore, when a bride’s parents present a gift to the couple upon their marriage, it is referred to as maritagium or marriage-gift. These examples exemplify the historical usage of maritagium, highlighting the control feudal lords had over their subjects’ marriages and their potential for profit. It also demonstrates how a marriage gift or dowry was sometimes referred to as maritagium.
Maritagium is a legal term that refers to the medieval practice of a husband receiving a payment or gift from his wife’s family upon marriage.
No, Maritagium is an outdated practice that is no longer recognized or enforced in modern legal systems.
No, Maritagium is not legally enforceable as it is considered an archaic custom that has no basis in contemporary legal principles.
No, since Maritagium is not recognized in modern legal systems, there are no legal consequences for not fulfilling any obligations related to it.
No, Maritagium cannot be included in a prenuptial agreement as it is not a legally recognized concept.
While Maritagium may seem similar to a dowry, they are distinct concepts. Dowry refers to the transfer of wealth or property from the bride’s family to the groom or his family, whereas Maritagium specifically refers to the payment or gift received by the husband.
No, Maritagium is not equivalent to alimony or spousal support. Alimony or spousal support is a legal obligation to provide financial support to a former spouse after divorce, whereas Maritagium is a payment or gift made at the time of marriage.
While Maritagium may have cultural or religious significance in certain communities, it does not have any legal standing and cannot be enforced in a court of law.
Maritagium is not practiced in any modern legal systems. However, some cultural or traditional communities may still observe similar customs, but these are not legally binding.
No, Maritagium is distinct from bride price or bride wealth. Bride price refers to the payment made by the groom or his family to the bride’s family as a condition of marriage, whereas Maritagium refers to the payment or gift received by the husband.
This site contains general legal information but does not constitute professional legal advice for your particular situation. Persuing this glossary does not create an attorney-client or legal adviser relationship. If you have specific questions, please consult a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.
This glossary post was last updated: 16th April 2024.
To help you cite our definitions in your bibliography, here is the proper citation layout for the three major formatting styles, with all of the relevant information filled in.
- Page URL:https://dlssolicitors.com/define/maritagium/
- Modern Language Association (MLA):Maritagium. dlssolicitors.com. DLS Solicitors. May 09 2024 https://dlssolicitors.com/define/maritagium/.
- Chicago Manual of Style (CMS):Maritagium. dlssolicitors.com. DLS Solicitors. https://dlssolicitors.com/define/maritagium/ (accessed: May 09 2024).
- American Psychological Association (APA):Maritagium. dlssolicitors.com. Retrieved May 09 2024, from dlssolicitors.com website: https://dlssolicitors.com/define/maritagium/
Our team of professionals are based in Alderley Edge, Cheshire. We offer clear, specialist legal advice in all matters relating to Family Law, Wills, Trusts, Probate, Lasting Power of Attorney and Court of Protection.
All author posts