Legal processes and matrimonial conflicts (Barcelona, 15th Century)

Abstract

The matrimonial processes in the medieval society are a rich material to understand daily life in the Middle Ages because it is a record that contains great richness from the perspective of human relations and culture of the period. They are testimony to the conflicts that arise in relations established from the bond of marriage and the path taken in the judiciary dimension. These processes are rare in the medieval context, and the region of Catalonia with a significant number of such proceedings opened in the XVth century is an exception. The procedural set includes specific medieval matrimonial conflicts, such as confirmation of marriage promises or legitimation of clandestine marriages, upwards to separation cases. In this paper we address the the litigation and the matrimonial impediment policies, seeking an understanding of the results of such policies.