DIVORCE...14TH Century Style
Technically all you need to do is select the Divorce option from the Family Affairs menu and post a public message to ALL asking the Pope to grant you a divorce. Then comes the catch - getting the Pope to grant the divorce.
It's not enough to say, "She has rotten stats and she's too old to have kids." Or, "she has a big butt and her breath smells of onions." Or, "he is an ancient doddering fool who can't give me kids".
Yes, we know that's all true but....
The Pope is the representative of the Church. The Church considers marriage a lifelong arrangement and a sacrament not to be taken lightly. Besides which, marriage was considered a Bond of Blood in this period and a serious business matter.
Thus, you need to be creative in your excuses. Some valid reasons for requesting a divorce in this period were:
1. Consanguinity - this means your blood ties are too close. It is, of course something you've just discovered, much to your horror. Invent some dead cousins to prove your point, which also makes it difficult to disprove.
2. Your partner was betrothed to someone else before your marriage and thus the validity of your marriage is questionable. More invention. Be creative, the Pope enjoys a good performance.
3. Your spouse wishes to retire to the contemplative life. This means he wants to become a monk or she wants to enter a convent, usually. Since your wife is an NPC and can't contradict you, this one is always fairly safe. However, if you are married to the daughter of another player, your in-laws may raise some objections.
4. Your spouse shows evidence of unnatural tastes that prevent you from having a true marriage. No need for graphic descriptions, although the Pope may make inquiries into how unnatural those inclinations are. Again, watch out for any nasty in-laws.
What your priest won't tell you
While the Church considers matrimony a solemn bond, it will occasionally find that a particular marriage is suitable for dissolution. It is a good idea to submit a 'valid' reason for dissolving the marriage.
That's fine... in theory.
Warning! The following paragraphs are False! No true son or daughter of the Church believes that things actually work this way! Publicly stating that the following lies are true may cause you to be brought before church court to answer charges of Sacrilege and/or Blasphemy!
In practice, whether you request for a divorce is approved may depend on more worldly matters.
Have you made generous donations to the church (i.e. the Pope) lately? Have you granted lands to the Church recently? Done the Pope any favors lately? If so, you may find the Pontiff favorably disposed toward you petition.
Been neglecting those donations to the church? Questioned the Pope's actions recently? Skipped that Crusade that His Holiness was so eager about? Commissioned any kidnappings or assassinations that anyone knows of? Your spouse may bury you before your petition is granted.
It helps when the collection plate is next to a Knight with a Lance. And an evil grin. And who constantly remarks--"Give 'till it hurts, or it will hurt more."