2-740-856 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Single Leaf: Table of Consanguinity, c. 1200. Consanguinity diagrams were used to show the degree of kinship between an individual and his or her "blood" relations. These tables followed an established tradition dating back to around AD 600. Until church law was relaxed in 1215, a marriage could only be contracted by persons separated by seven degrees of relationship. After 1215 the degree of separation was reduced to four. Tables of Consanguinity were therefore used by church officials to prove or disprove bars to marriage.