CLEP Western Civ I

Category - Early Modern Europe

During the middle ages, what type of rights can the eldest sons claim to inherit everything that belongs to their family?
  1. Inheritance
  2. Primogeniture
  3. Ultimogeniture
  4. Bechor
  5. Geniture
Explanation
Answer: B - Primogeniture is the traditional custom of passing on titles, properties, and other hereditary items to the eldest child. This right, usually given to the eldest males, guaranteed that the property would stay intact in one large piece, as opposed to multiple small pieces. The preference for male children goes back to the notion that males are the ones to fight and protect their rights, sire children, and rule, whereas females were not eligible for primogeniture because they were the ones that would marry out. Also, the likelihood of bearing children, legitimate or otherwise, was a lot less for women than men.
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