The term referred initially to steps taken by a husband to provide for his wife if she became a widow. The wittum was often stipulated by law. Originally the wittum consisted only of
movable property. Later it became
real property, which was designated by a certificate. The wittum became more and more similar to the
dower, or replaced dower, until finally Wittum and dower were no longer clearly separated. The wittum provided a pension for widows because it was in their possession for their entire life. In old German law, the wittum was a purchase price to be paid by the groom to the head of the bride's family in order to receive guardianship authority over the bride (Wittemde, Wettma, also
Mund). Later it was a grant from the husband to the woman to provide for her in widowhood (Doarium, Dotalicium, Vidualicium,
jointure), mostly made in
usufruct for life on land (Witwengut). Wittum is in particular to be granted for the maintenance of the widow of the monarch or the widow of a prince of a royal house. Noble families who put up their female members in monasteries would equip these with the so-called "Widumshöfen". In order to free the noble nuns of any work, the monasteries received courtyards along with serfs to supply the ladies. In this context, the term "Widumshof" has been transferred to the parish where a "Pfarrhof" served as an economic basis for the priest. == Name for a parsonage or parochial benefice ==