The Role Of Marriage In Frankish Society
Marriage in Frankish society was a complex legal, social, and religious matter. There were a considerable variety of laws regarding aspects such as: who could marry and who could not; the reasons why and why not; what rituals and customs need to be performed so that a marriage is fair, prosperous and legal; what produces a marriage legal vs. illegal; marriage in the different classes; what might fabricate an illegal marriage and who can divorce and how. The enforcement of the laws in Frankish society in regard to marriage could entail fines, from something seemingly insufficient to an entire wergild, to forced separation or even in a few cases, death. Marriage was so important, as it drew families together, created strong alliances, ended
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When unmarried, a Frankish woman was protected under the laws of her father, but once married, the laws of her husband protected the Frankish woman. (Wemple, 27) This is very important information to consider as it allows us to see the life of women in Frankish society, and the place to which she is put. It demonstrates that her value will almost always be tied into that of whatever man she is associated with, either through birth (her father) or law (her betrothed or husband). As Wemple explains “When a young woman married, her father or guardian conveyed his rights of protection over to her husband. The husband then could claim compensation for any injury she or their future children might suffer. To gain this right, he had to present a marriage settlement which was either in part or entirely turned over to his betrothed as a bride gift.” (Wemple, 32) The marriage of a woman in Frankish society changed the legal responsibilities of the father, the husband, and the woman. From this information, it would appear as though the woman in Frankish society was merely property, however there were laws and regulations that protected the married woman. Once married, the woman would receive an endowment from her father and her husband. This was made up of gifts and her husband under normal circumstances could not alienate this property from her. This endowment was then passed to the couples children should they have any. (Fischer, 42) A legal Frankish marriage was very clearly a highly complex
When unmarried, a Frankish woman was protected under the laws of her father, but once married, the laws of her husband protected the Frankish woman. (Wemple, 27) This is very important information to consider as it allows us to see the life of women in Frankish society, and the place to which she is put. It demonstrates that her value will almost always be tied into that of whatever man she is associated with, either through birth (her father) or law (her betrothed or husband). As Wemple explains “When a young woman married, her father or guardian conveyed his rights of protection over to her husband. The husband then could claim compensation for any injury she or their future children might suffer. To gain this right, he had to present a marriage settlement which was either in part or entirely turned over to his betrothed as a bride gift.” (Wemple, 32) The marriage of a woman in Frankish society changed the legal responsibilities of the father, the husband, and the woman. From this information, it would appear as though the woman in Frankish society was merely property, however there were laws and regulations that protected the married woman. Once married, the woman would receive an endowment from her father and her husband. This was made up of gifts and her husband under normal circumstances could not alienate this property from her. This endowment was then passed to the couples children should they have any. (Fischer, 42) A legal Frankish marriage was very clearly a highly complex