Matrimony in Venice during Late Renaissance Era in light of judicial institutions

Abstract

The subject of this research is the several government institutions of Venice during the Late Renaissance Era that dealt with questions of matrimonial relations. Marriage played not only a crucial social role, but was also considered a church, which contributed to salvation of the faithful. Therefore, the questions of the validity of marriage or claims for separation of the spouses were considered by the Church court alone. The government institutions dealt with for offences against marriage, observed the execution of laws regarding the property of spouses, resolved custody issues of the minors, and prevented inappropriate behavior between the spouses. Special attention is given to the judicial institutions of Venice in from the perspective of their activity on matrimony. The article employs descriptive method, complemented by comparative historical analysis of the political and religious institutions of that time. The author's special contribution consists in the analysis of cases, such as the abduction of women or a breach of promise, which were interpreted differently by the religious and secular courts. As a result, in the late XVI – early XVII century, the secular administration gained prevalence in these questions.