The Tradition of Wedding Gifts in Albanian Families during the Middle Ages (1368 -1451)

Abstract

An important feature to which Arbanon families during the Middle Ages paid a special attention on the occasion of marriage were the dowries, gifts and various privileges, which were given not only by family members but also by a wider ring. In the Middle Ages, in the Arbanon lands, on the occasion of a girl marriage, the giving of the dowry was practiced, which was usually given in the form of a real estate or money (perpera, exagia). The dowry was practiced by noble families as well as by other society strata. Certainly, the value of the dowry within Arbanon noble families was greater, thus certain lands were given. The aim of this paper was not only to introduce or point out the type or value of the dowry and gifts, but also to review some samples, as far as the documentary data provides, in order to point out their role and status in the marriage, because the dowry given to a girl was an exclusive right of her and then of her husband, which could be used accordingly to their needs or requirements, since it might have positively affect the economic condition of a family. Of course, noble albanian families had a higher dowry value where usually were given certain territories. The dowry was usually given by parents and there were occasions when dowry was given by authorized persons. In addition to dowry, different presents were provided not only by family members or relatives, but also by leaders of neighboring countries at the time of marriage. Such presents were mentioned on the occasion of the marriage of Gjergj II Strazimir, Balsha III, as well as Gjergj Kastrioti-Skënderbeu.