Breaking Up Is Hard To Do: Dissolving Royal and Noble Marriages in Eleventh-Century Germany*
Alison Creber
Around 1069 four elite German men—Henry IV of Germany, Rudolf Rheinfelden, Eckbert Brunswick and Welf Bavaria—tried to dissolve their marriages respective wives: Bertha Savoy, Adelaide Immilla Turin Ethelinde Northeim. This article argues that these men reinforced each other’s decision do so. It further a key, but previously overlooked, aspect cases is three women (Bertha, Immilla) were closely related one another. The first section focuses narrowly on Henry IV’s attempt repudiate his wife, Bertha, the rich documentation this produced. Then Henry’s actions are compared contrasted with contemporaneous attempts Rudolf, Eckbert, end own marriages. When viewed together, attempted repudiations point declining significance kinswomen’s natal dynasty, led by Turin, shifting political interests other nobles. Yet, partly due it was hard for ‘break up’ wives. In contrast Ethelinde’s kin, who failed prevent from ending marriage, had sufficient power ensure her daughters’ not dissolved.
German History|Research Portal (King's College London)|Research Portal (King's College London)