Note 888 — Chapter VI · OLD ENGLISH WIFE-PURCHASE YIELDS TO FREE MARRIAGE

The nuptials of widows, according to Salic law, were an exception. These were, nominally, solemnized in the mallum, or open court; but in practice this requirement may not always have been observed. The exception seems to be an outgrowth of the original restriction on second marriage: Tacitus, Germania, c. 19; Lex salica, 44, de reipus: Behrend, 57, 58. Cf. Sohm, Eheschliessung, 62-64 nn. 16, 17, 18; Schroeder, Güterrecht, I, 56. Friedberg, op. cit., 21; "Zur Geschichte," ZKR., I, 366, led astray by the statement of Grimm, Rechtsalt., 433, that Gemahl, "husband," is derived from mallum, thinks the nuptials were usually celebrated in open court. On the derivation see Sohm, op. cit., 62. In general on the marriage of widows see also Habicht, Altd. Verlobung, 16-23; Weinhold, Deutsche Frauen, II, 40 ff.; Schroeder, Rechtsgeschichte, 293, 296; Rive, Vormundschaft, I, 241; Zoepfl, Deutsche Rechtsgeschichte, III, 3, 10, 11; Weinhold, "Reipus und Achasius," in Haupt's Zeitschrift, VII, 539 ff.; Müllenhoff, "Glossary," in Waitz, Das alte Recht.