Royal Marital Intrigue: Brother's Widow, A Suitable Match?

The practice of a man marrying his brother's widow is known as levirate marriage. It is a custom that has been observed in various societies and religions, including Judaism, Islam, and some Christian and Pagan monarchs. In the Hebrew Bible, a form of levirate marriage, called yibbum, is mentioned in Deuteronomy 25:5–10, which states that the brother of a man who dies without children is permitted and encouraged to marry the widow. Levirate marriage can serve as protection for the widow and her children, ensuring they have a male provider and protector. However, it is considered controversial and, in some cases, an abomination. For instance, in the Christian faith, it is seen as a sin to marry one's brother's wife, as it is believed that the marriage will be cursed and yield no sons.

Levirate marriage is a type of marriage in which the brother of a deceased man marries his brother's widow

Levirate marriage was a way to ensure the continuation of the deceased man's family line and the inheritance of his land. In ancient times, if a man died without a child, it was common for his widow to marry his brother, and the first son produced from that union was considered the legal descendant of the dead husband. This practice is mentioned in the Bible, in the book of Deuteronomy, where the Israelites are commanded to care for women whose husbands died before they had children.

While levirate marriage has declined in many cultures, it is still practised in some parts of the world, such as among the Kurds in Turkey and the Shona people in Zimbabwe. In these societies, the widow is usually given a choice in the matter.

In medieval Europe, the remarriage of a king's widow could be a complex issue, often involving dynastic concerns and the potential for confusion over inheritance. While some queens did remarry, others remained unmarried to retain their independence and the fortunes of their late husbands.

Levirate marriage is forbidden in some societies, but the Quran does not prohibit it

Levirate marriage, a type of marriage in which the brother of a deceased man is obliged to marry his brother's widow, has been practised in societies with a strong clan structure. This custom is associated with patriarchal societies and was important in ancient times, and it remains so in some parts of the world today. While the Quran does not prohibit levirate marriage, it does not encourage it either, and it insists that if it does occur, it should be treated as a normal marriage with the wife's consent and a mahr.

In Islam, a person is neither forbidden from nor obligated to marry their brother's widow, regardless of the presence of children. The widow is free to marry anyone or remain unmarried after her husband's death, except for observing a mourning period. This is because a person does not have the first right to their deceased brother's widows, which was an ancient Arabian custom that the Quran forbade.

In contrast, Jewish custom has seen a gradual decline in levirate marriage, with most contemporary Jewish communities and Israel prohibiting it.

In medieval Europe, kings' widows were expected to remarry

In medieval Europe, the expectation for widows of kings to remarry was largely dependent on individual circumstances. While there were no definitive rules, societal customs pressured widows to remarry, as being unmarried was deemed socially unacceptable. However, it was not uncommon for widows to remain unmarried, especially if they were older or had children to take care of.

The decision to remarry was influenced by various factors, including the widow's age, power, wealth, and influence at the time of her husband's death. If the widow was young and had no children, she often remarried, as her position in her late husband's household would cease to exist, and her duty as a noblewoman was to bear children. In such cases, the choice of her next husband would typically be made by a guardian or the king. On the other hand, if the widow was older or had children, she might choose to dedicate her life to the Church or rely on her son for support.

The property and inheritance rights of widows also played a role in their decision to remarry. While widows could inherit their husband's property, especially if they had minor children, the norms and laws regarding inheritance varied across medieval Europe. In some cases, widows may have been motivated to remarry to secure their financial position, especially if they had no sons to inherit their late husband's estate.

The allegiance of noblewomen who remarried was expected to shift to their new husband and his family, which could create complex dynamics if the two families were at odds. Overall, the decision to remarry was a strategic one, and widows often chose husbands who could advance their social standing and prestige.

The most famous remarried queen in medieval Europe is Eleanor of Aquitaine

Eleanor wished to stay unmarried, but this was impossible because her wealth and power made her a target for kidnapping. She escaped one kidnapping attempt by Geoffrey of Anjou and, according to some sources, sent an envoy to Geoffrey's older brother, Henry, Count of Anjou and Duke of Normandy, demanding that he marry her instead. In May 1152, just eight weeks after her marriage to Louis VII was annulled, Eleanor and Henry were married. In 1154, Henry became King Henry II of England.

Eleanor bore Henry eight children and played a very active role in government for almost two decades. However, their relationship was strained, partly due to Henry's neglect of their children. Eleanor returned to Aquitaine in about 1168 with two of their sons, Richard and Geoffrey. In 1173, Eleanor supported a revolt against Henry by her eldest surviving son, Henry, and her other sons, Richard and Geoffrey. The revolt failed, and Eleanor was imprisoned for almost 16 years.

When Richard succeeded to the throne in 1189, one of his first acts was to release Eleanor and grant her powers over English political affairs. During the last 15 years of her life, Eleanor displayed extraordinary abilities as a ruler, acting as vice regent along with her younger son, John. She remained closely involved in the affairs of Aquitaine until her death at the age of 82 in 1204, maintaining her role as one of the most influential and revered people of medieval Europe.

The practice of levirate marriage is strongly associated with patriarchal societies

Levirate marriage has been practised by societies with a strong clan structure in which exogamous marriage (i.e. marriage outside the clan) is forbidden. It has been known in many societies around the world, including the ancient Near East, and remains important in some parts of the world today.

At its most positive, levirate marriage can serve as protection for the widow and her children, ensuring that they have a male provider and protector. This can be especially important in societies where women are not self-sufficient and must rely on men to provide for them, and where women are regarded as possessions of their husbands. It can also ensure the survival of the clan, as having children enables the inheritance of land, which offers security and status.

A levirate marriage might only occur if a man died childless, in order to continue his family line. In some cultures, the widow is not given a choice in the matter. However, in other cases, either party may refuse the marriage, but both must then go through a symbolic ceremony of renunciation.

The practice of levirate marriage is mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, where it was practised among the early Israelites. In the New Testament, the custom is referenced in the Gospel of Luke, where it is used by the Sadducees to pose a challenge to the doctrine of resurrection. Jewish law has seen a gradual decline in the practice of levirate marriage, in favour of the alternative ceremony of halizah.

Levirate marriage has also been practised by various other societies, including the Huns, Kurds, and some peoples in Africa, Asia, and South America.

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