Dower

Jointure (Latin vidualitium ) Widum or dower is a term used in medieval legal language. The word " parsonage " and " jointure " derives from the same root as her " devoted "; Widum jointure and thus refers to a " dedicated Well," still used in Tyrol and South Tyrol today as a term for a parsonage. In the German, medieval law thus also the widow supply were called from the estate, since these " dedicated assets " also were; the linking of the word Widum with widow 's popular etymology, and not right.

Supply power at marriage

The term initially referred to a decision taken by the man pages for the benefit of keep his wife care for the case, that it should be a widow again. The jointure was often enshrined in law.

Originally, the jointure of only movables. Later it became the property that was acquired through a certificate. The jointure was more and more the dowry similar, even took its place, until finally jointure and dowry were not clearly separated. The jointure was the care of the widows, as it remained for life in their possession.

The jointure was in the old German law of the groom to the family guardian of the bride to be paid the purchase price for the guardianship authority over the bride ( Wittemde, Wettma, also mouth treasure ), and later a grant of the man to the woman to whose care the widow stands ( Doarium, Dotalicium, Vidualicium, dowry ), mostly in lifelong usufruct of land ( Witwengut ) consisting. Jointure states in particular that the befitting for maintenance of the monarch and the widows of princes of the princely house widow to be granted endowment.

Nobles families who under took their female members in monasteries, they outfitted them with so-called Widumshöfen. In order to free the noble nuns of any work, the monasteries were courtyards together with serfs to supply the ladies. In this context, the term Widumshof has transferred to the parsonage, which served the clergy as the economic basis.

Designation for a parsonage or parish benefice

Widum dive today, albeit in a modified form, as a local, road or field name on, as well as in Austria as a designation of the residential and business premises of a Catholic parish. In Lübeck, the Wehde is the historic rectory of St. Mary's Church.