Paula, I believe that in canon law, the word "solutus/a" can refer
specifically to those who are NOT married--in other words the child was
conceived by two people who were free to marry at the time of conception
but did so only thereafter. For purposes of legitimation, canon law did
distinguish between out of wedlock children conceived by two free partners,
one free and one married, or two married. I'm not sure how this would
apply to the mother's purification (although perhaps--and this is just off
the top of my head--her biogenetic pollution might be deemed greater since
she had conceived illicitly, i.e., out of wedlock????). Other listmembers
might be able to expand on this.
John Parsons
On Mon, 3 Nov 1997, paula marie rieder wrote:
> I'm a new member on the list. I'm writing my dissertation at University of
> Illinois at Urbana-Champaign on the ritual of churching in medieval
> northern France. In addition to introducing myself I have a question I
> would like to post to the members. I am reading the registers of the
> ecclesiastical court at Rouen in the 15th century and have come across a
> Latin phrase I am not sure how to translate. The cases involve women who
> have given birth to children conceived outside of marriage. They have,
> nevertheless, been churched (and here's the phrase) pro litteras de
> soluto cum soluta. I already know that "soluto cum soluta" is used as a
> stock phrase for fornication. But I am wondering if anyone has any
> further insights? Thanks.
> Paula Rieder
>
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