Divorce in Early Modern Neuchâtel,1547-1806

Abstract

Analysis of all divorce litigation extant in Neuchâtel from the introduction of divorce in the mid-sixteenth century to the early nineteenth century suggests substantial changes, both quantitative and qualitative, over this long period. The proportion of couples going through divorce remained a small minority during the whole period, but the reasons for requesting divorce and the grounds on which divorce was granted changed, with the most noteworthy changes ap pearing in the second half of the eighteenth century. It may be said that by the end of the eighteenth century matrimoniul courts in Neuchâtel had begun to nurture componionate marriage.