The authority of believing men stands adequately strengthened
by what ancient custom the law of both Old and New
Testament shows and by confirmation from the teachings of the Holy
Spirit through Moses on marriage between man and woman, especially when
It says: "Wherefore a man will leave his father and mother and adhere to
his wife, and they will be two in one flesh." [Gen., ii. 24]; and indissolubly,
supported by the divine word saying: "What God has joined, let man not
separate" [Matt., xix. 6; Marc., x. 9] Even our Lord, who became a man
and was the maker of men, was willing to attend weddings to confirm that
marriage itself was holy and full of authority, in order that this pact
and that joining might be held valid for ever by all christians.
THEREFORE I Ulric, following
such great authority, led by the counsel and admonitions of my friends,
and assisted by celestial piety, seek a matrimonial partnership. For love
of this and according to ancient practice, I give thee, my dearest and
most beloved betrothed sponsa Ermengarde, by authority of this endowment
("sponsalicium") everything of mine within the pagus of Macon, that is,
. And I give thee in the pagus of Lyons ... all things listed
above, just as they are written, I cede, hand over and transfer in perpetuity
to thee, my beloved sponsa Ermengarde to have,
to sell, to give or to lease out and to do whatever you wish in them or
with the same things at your free will. But should I or any of my heirs
wishes to come and say anything against this endowment gift ("sponsalicium
donum") or in any way disturb it -- and I do not believe this will happen
-- then he is not to obtain what he seeks to recall but should be liable
for double the improved value of the whole property, and the present grant
shall remain firm, together with the supporting stipulation. Done in the
city of Macon. Sign of Ulric, who asked
for this endowment ("dotem") and gift to be made and affirmed.
Sign of Rather his brother, who consented. [15 names of signers follow, then] Sign of Count Otto. Sign of Countess Ermentrude. Sign of Guy.1
Given by the hand of Rodulf the priest on the fourth of the
nones of September, in the 3rd indiction, the 8th year of the reign of
King Hugh.
[Receuil des chartes de l'abbaye de Cluny, ed. B. de Bruel, vol. iii, no. 2265, cited by G. Duby, The Knight, the Lady and the Priest, 98.]