Legal Definitions - maritagium habere

Maritagium habere refers to the historical legal right to arrange a woman's marriage.

This was a significant privilege, often granted by a monarch or feudal lord, that allowed the holder to determine or approve the spouse for a specific woman, typically an heiress or a noblewoman. The right was valuable because it could be used to forge strategic alliances, consolidate land and power, or generate income through the sale of the marriage right itself.

• Example 1: Strategic Alliance

  During a period of political instability, King Edward III granted a trusted baron, Lord Beaumont, the maritagium habere over Lady Catherine, a wealthy heiress whose ancestral lands were strategically located near a contested border. Lord Beaumont subsequently arranged Lady Catherine's marriage to his eldest son. This action not only secured a powerful alliance for his family but also ensured that the crucial border territories remained under loyal control, demonstrating how the right was used for political and military advantage.

• Example 2: Financial Gain and Control over a Ward

  When a prominent knight died, leaving behind a young, unmarried daughter, Lady Eleanor, as his sole heir, she became a ward of the Crown. The King, in need of funds, sold the maritagium habere over Lady Eleanor to Sir Thomas, a lesser noble who paid a substantial sum for the privilege. Sir Thomas then exercised this right by marrying Lady Eleanor to his own nephew, thereby acquiring her considerable inheritance for his family. This illustrates the financial value of the right, as it could be bought and sold, and its use in controlling the destiny and assets of a ward.

• Example 3: Consolidating Land and Influence

  A powerful Earl, Lord Montgomery, held the maritagium habere over the three unmarried daughters of a recently deceased neighboring lord. These daughters collectively inherited vast estates that bordered Lord Montgomery's own territories. To expand his family's influence and consolidate land, Lord Montgomery arranged for each of the three sisters to marry one of his own younger sons. This allowed his family to absorb the neighboring estates and significantly increase their power and territorial holdings, showcasing the right's utility in expanding dynastic control.