El matrimonio, espacio de conflictosincumplimiento de palabra, divorcio y nulidad en la archidiócesis hispalense durante el siglo XVIII

Abstract

This doctoral thesis, entitled Marriage, conflicts space. Breach of word, divorce and nullity in Sevillian archdiocese (s XVIII), studies modern couple after and before marriage; broken brethotals, married people who do not live together or want to obtaib a legal licence to abandon marital life or those who want to cancel marriage. Our work focuses on marriage, reflecting the importance given to it during the Modern Age, as well as conflicts and broken relationships. At that time, as nowadays, difficulties in the relationship and the context could capsizefuture plans. Unorthodox sex life, excess of power given to head of household, disagreements in the economic management of the home, irreconcilable differences or disagreements with family could destroy understanding and cordiality of the couple. Justice would decide if they were enough to end cohabitation and validity of marriage. Documentation used comes from Archivo General del Arzobispado de Sevilla (AGAS) where we can find the great Justice department and the series of Matrimonial Disputes. After inspecting all the conserved processes in this series, we select those belonging to the following categories �word of betrothal� �failure maridable life� �divorce� and �nullity�, bringing tohether hundreds of documents. They are prosecutions with different state of preservation and extension, but it can be said that generally speaking they offer rich and plentiful information, tackling different points of view: from the applicants, the convicts, justice, society... This deocument is divided into several chapters, depending on the content worked in each one. After an introductory chapter, in which we can find objectives, methodology and used sources together with social context of the worked spatial and temporal framework, we will find chapters about marital default, marriage breakdown, divorce and mariage nullity. These chapters are subdivided into different sections according to needs and objectives. The study of the moral and justice literature of the time has been given a very outstanding place, since it is basicto understand the reactions against failure of the couple. We emphasize two elements that are present at all this work: the importance of gender and the role played by diocesan justice. Regarding gender, we highlight the importance of this concept in order to analiza and understand relationships between men and women during Modern Times, establishing role models depending on which group we belong (men or women). Breach of these models of behaviour could play an important role in the appearance of marriage problems. As for diocesan justice is concerned, they controlled marital life, creating the only sexual model considered orthodox, the legal answer to the conflicts and persecuting any other behaviour patterns. Results have been positive, according to the objective of our thesis: the study of breaking of marriage in Seville Archiepiscopate during s XVIII.