Single Leaf: Table of Consanguinity
Unknown Artist
c. 1200
Medium
ink, tempera, and gold on vellum
Dimensions
28.9 × 21.8 cm
Classification
Manuscript
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Gift from J. H. Wade
Accession Number
1924.429
About this artwork
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.