Dear mia,
which medieval swedish law in particular? could you
send the precise reference?
meg
>Dear distinguished members,
>medieval Swedish law contained a rule that
>only baptised persons could inherit. If a child
>died "heathen" or unbaptised, it could neither receive
>any inheritance nor transmit any on to its relatives. This was
>probably introduced by the Church in order to ensure that
>parents had an interest in having their children baptised as
>soon as possible after birth.
>My question is this: have you come across any
>similar norms in other areas in medieval Europe?
>Do you have any hints regarding literature on the
>subject of baptism as a pre-condition to inheritance
>rights?
>Best wishes,
>Mia Korpiola
>Mia Korpiola, LL. Lic.
>KATTI
>P. O. Box 4 (Fabianinkatu 24 A)
>FIN-00014 University of Helsinki
>Finland
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Margaret Cormack [log in to unmask]
Dept. of Philosophy and Religion fax: 843-953-6388
College of Charleston tel: 843-953-8033
Charleston, SC 29424-0001
