Incestuous marriages in late Carolingian Ravenna: thecausa Deusdedit(878-81)
Maddalena Betti
During the ninth century and especially after Lothar II's divorce, Carolingian reformers turned their attention to definition of legitimate Christian marriage, promoting spreading precise rules discipline marital strategies aristocracies in world. Legislation against incestuous marriages became progressively more radical, extending scope incest not only consanguinity, but also affinity spiritual kinship. This article examines effects new prescriptions late Ravenna through an analysis Pope John VIII's letters concerning so-called causa Deusdedit, a controversial trial for marriage.
Early Medieval Europe