User:Susanxj/Chattel marriage

chattel marriage: The word "chattel" was originally "cattle," that is, personal property (as opposed to "real property"=land and "improvements"). Chattel marriage was a form of marriage in which the husband actually owned the wife and any children they might have—in about the same way slaves were owned. The only meaningful difference was that there were a few legal restrictions to the husband's right to physically abuse or sell his wife or child. Most European noblewomen were party to chattel marriages, as well, although if they brought money or property with them to the marriage, there were usually contracts involved, and "dower rights" were preserved to the wives. The only English wives who were neither wealthy nor chattels were princesses, the daughters of kings.