This text discusses the early Calvinist divorces of Reformation Geneva, examining grounds for divorce and highlighting several notable cases. It also discusses the work of the Consistory of Geneva, an institution established in 1541 that was designed to help control the behaviour of the population.

The second contribution of the book, to show the work of the Consistory of Geneva, is intended to be a first step toward a fuller study of the institution. Kingdon has supervised a complete transcription of the 21 volumes of registers of the Consistory and has made extended use of these materials, as well as other documents that have been largely ignored.

The institutional matrix
the Pierre Ameaux case - divorce for adultery and blasphemy
the Antoine Calvin case - divorce for adultery
the Jean Bietrix case - forced reconciliation
death for adultery
the Galeazzo Caracciolo case - divorce for religious desertion
the rationale for divorce - Theodore Beza's treatise
conclusion.