A HUSBAND'S ENDOWMENT OF HIS
FUTURE WIFE ON THEIR BETROTHAL
The authority of
believing men
stands adequately strengthened by what ancient
custom
the law of both Old and New Testament shows and by confirmation
from the
teachings of the Holy Spirit through Moses on marriage
between man and woman, especially when It
says:
"Wherefore a man will leave his father and
mother and
adhere to his wife,
and they will be two in one flesh." [Gen., ii. 24]; and
indissolubly, supported by the divine word saying: "What God has
joined, let man not
separate". [Matt., xix. 6; Marc., x. 9] Even our Lord,
who became a man and was the maker of men, was willing to attend
weddings to confirm that marriage itself was
holy and full of
authority, in order that this pact and that joining might be
held valid for ever by all christians.
THEREFORE I Ulric,
following such great authority, led by
the counsel and admonitions of
my friends, and assisted by celestial piety,
seek a matrimonial
partnership. For love of this and according to
ancient practice, I
give thee,
my dearest and most beloved betrothed sponsa
Ermengarde, by authority of this endowment ("sponsalicium")
everything of mine within the pagus of
And I give thee in the pagus of
Ermengarde to have, to sell, to give or to lease
out and to do whatever you wish in them or with the same things
at your free will. But should I or any of my heirs wish
to
come and say anything against this endowment gift
("sponsalicium donum") or in any way disturb it -- and I do not believe
this will happen -- then he is not to obtain
what he seeks to recall
but should be liable for double the improved value of the
whole property, and the present grant shall remain firm, together
with the supporting
stipulation.
Done in the city of
Sign of Ulric, who
asked for this endowment
("dotem") and gift to be made and affirmed.
Sign of Rather his brother, who
consented. [15 names of signers follow, then]
Sign of Count Otto.
Sign of Countess Ermentrude.
Sign of Guy.[These are Otto-William, Count of Macon, his wife and son.]
Given by the hand of Rodulf the priest on the fourth of the nones of September, in the 3rd indiction, the 8th year of the reign of King Hugh.