Wittum
Encyclopedia
Wittum Widum or Witthum is a medieval Latin legal term, known in marital and ecclesiastical law.
Originally the wittum consisted only of movable property. Later it became real property
, which was designated by a certificate. The wittum became more and more similar to the dower
, or replace dower, until finally Wittum and dower were no longer clearly separated. The wittum provided a pension for widows because it was in their possession for their entire life.
In old German law, the wittum was a purchase price to be paid by the groom to the head of the bride's family in order to receive guardianship authority over the bride (Wittemde, Wettma, also Mund
). Later it was a grant from the husband to the woman to provide for her in widowhood (Doarium, Dotalicium, Vidualicium, jointure
), mostly made in usufruct for life on land (Witwengut). Wittum is in particular to be granted for the maintenance of the widow of the monarch or the widow of Prince of a royal house.
Noble families who put up their female members in monasteries, would equip these with so-called "Widumshöfen". In order to free the noble nuns of any work, the monasteries received courtyards along with serfs to supply the ladies. In this context, the term "Widumshof" has been transferred to the parish, where a "Pfarrhof" served as an economic basis for the priest.
term Wedeme is used.
Widum emerged today, albeit in modified form, as a local, road or field name to, and in Austria as a designation of the residential and commercial buildings of a Catholic parish. In Lübeck
, the "Wehde" is the historic parish house of the St. Mary's Church
.
The word "wittum" is derived from the same root her as "widmen" ('dedicate'); wittum thus refers to a "dedicated good". In Tyrol and South Tyrol, it is still used as a term for a parsonage. Later, a provisions for a widow were called "wittum", because these are "dedicated assets". The linkage of the word "wittum" with "widow" is considered folk etymology and not incorrect.
Provide for a widow at the wedding
The term referred initially to steps taken by a husband to provide for his wife in the event that she would become a widow. The wittum was often stipulated by law.Originally the wittum consisted only of movable property. Later it became real property
Real property
In English Common Law, real property, real estate, realty, or immovable property is any subset of land that has been legally defined and the improvements to it made by human efforts: any buildings, machinery, wells, dams, ponds, mines, canals, roads, various property rights, and so forth...
, which was designated by a certificate. The wittum became more and more similar to the dower
Dower
Dower or morning gift was a provision accorded by law to a wife for her support in the event that she should survive her husband...
, or replace dower, until finally Wittum and dower were no longer clearly separated. The wittum provided a pension for widows because it was in their possession for their entire life.
In old German law, the wittum was a purchase price to be paid by the groom to the head of the bride's family in order to receive guardianship authority over the bride (Wittemde, Wettma, also Mund
Mund (in law)
The mund is a principle in Germanic tradition and law that can be crudely translated as "protection" and which grew as the prerogative of a Germanic tribe king or leader. It has been Latinized in mundium.The word comes from Germanic *mundo The mund is a principle in Germanic tradition and law that...
). Later it was a grant from the husband to the woman to provide for her in widowhood (Doarium, Dotalicium, Vidualicium, jointure
Jointure
Jointure is, in law, a provision for a wife after the death of her husband. As defined by Sir Edward Coke, it is "a competent livelihood of freehold for the wife, of lands or tenements, to take effect presently in possession or profit after the death of her husband for the life of the wife at...
), mostly made in usufruct for life on land (Witwengut). Wittum is in particular to be granted for the maintenance of the widow of the monarch or the widow of Prince of a royal house.
Noble families who put up their female members in monasteries, would equip these with so-called "Widumshöfen". In order to free the noble nuns of any work, the monasteries received courtyards along with serfs to supply the ladies. In this context, the term "Widumshof" has been transferred to the parish, where a "Pfarrhof" served as an economic basis for the priest.
Name for a parsonage or parochial benefice
In Bavaria and Tirol Widum or Widdum is the term for the immovable assets of the parish benefice, and especially for the rectory. In northern Germany, the (medium) Low GermanMiddle Low German
Middle Low German is a language that is the descendant of Old Saxon and is the ancestor of modern Low German. It served as the international lingua franca of the Hanseatic League...
term Wedeme is used.
Widum emerged today, albeit in modified form, as a local, road or field name to, and in Austria as a designation of the residential and commercial buildings of a Catholic parish. In Lübeck
Lübeck
The Hanseatic City of Lübeck is the second-largest city in Schleswig-Holstein, in northern Germany, and one of the major ports of Germany. It was for several centuries the "capital" of the Hanseatic League and, because of its Brick Gothic architectural heritage, is listed by UNESCO as a World...
, the "Wehde" is the historic parish house of the St. Mary's Church
St. Mary's Church, Lübeck
The Lutheran Marienkirche in Lübeck was constructed between 1250 and 1350. For many years it has been a symbol of the power and prosperity of the old Hanseatic city, and as Germany's third largest church it remains the tallest building of the old part of Lübeck. It is larger than Lübeck Cathedral...
.
The word "wittum" is derived from the same root her as "widmen" ('dedicate'); wittum thus refers to a "dedicated good". In Tyrol and South Tyrol, it is still used as a term for a parsonage. Later, a provisions for a widow were called "wittum", because these are "dedicated assets". The linkage of the word "wittum" with "widow" is considered folk etymology and not incorrect.