Dissolving Royal Marriages
A Documentary History, 860–1600

This book offers a chronological and geographical study of royal divorce cases from the Middle Ages through to the Reformation period.

D. L. d'Avray (Edited by)

9781107643994, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 15 June 2017

324 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.7 cm, 0.49 kg

Dissolving Royal Marriages adopts a unique chronological and geographical perspective to present a comparative overview of royal divorce cases from the Middle Ages through to the Reformation period. Drawing from original translations of key source documents, the book sheds new light on some of the most prominent and elite divorce proceedings in Western history, including Henry VIII's divorce from Catherine of Aragon. The comprehensive commentary that accompanies these materials allows readers to grasp, for the first time, how the constructs of canon law helped shape the legal arguments on which specific cases were founded, and better understand the events that actually unfolded in the courtrooms. In his case-by-case exploration of elaborate witness statements, extensive legal negotiations and political wrangling, d'Avray shows us how little the canonical law for the dissolution of marriage changed over time in this fascinating new study of Church-state relations and papal power over princes.

Preface
Acknowledgements
Introduction
1. Lothar, Theutberga and Waldrada
2. Robert II of France and Bertha
3. Philip I of France and Bertrada
4. Eleanor of Aquitaine and Louis VII of France
5. King John of England and Isabelle of Gloucester
6. Philip II Augustus of France and Ingeborg of Denmark
7. Pere II of Aragon and Maria of Montpellier
8. Jaume I of Aragon and Lyonor
9. Sancho of Portugal and Mécia Lopes de Haro ('Mentia Lupi')
10. Henry III of England and Jeanne of Ponthieu
11. Plaisance of Cyprus and Balian
12. Alfonso III of Portugal and Mathilda of Boulogne
13. Jaume I of Aragon and Terisia
14. Charles IV of France and Blanche: the law of Godparenthood
15. Charles IV and Blanche: the annulment process
16. Maximilian I, Anne of Brittany, and Charles VIII of France
17. Louis XII of France and Jeanne
18. Margaret of Scotland and Archibald Douglas the Earl of Angus
19. Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon
20. Henri IV of France and Marguerite de Valois.

Subject Areas: Early modern history: c 1450/1500 to c 1700 [HBLH], Medieval history [HBLC1], Early history: c 500 to c 1450/1500 [HBLC], European history [HBJD]