Norman Inheritance Laws Flashcards
What were the Anglo-Saxon inheritance laws?
The Anglo-Saxons traditionally divided the estates of a dead man amongst his sons. This meant that estates became smaller and smaller, and sometimes led to conflict between family members.
How did the Normans change inheritance?
The Normans introduced male primogeniture, where the eldest son inherited all the lands of the father. This helped to keep estates intact.
What happened when a man died heirless?
When a man died without an heir his lands returned to the lord, who could keep it or grant it to another of his followers.
What happened if a man’s heir was underage?
If an heir was under-age, the lord took over the land until the heir was of age. He could enjoy the revenue of the land until that time.
What happened to widows?
Widows came under the control of the lord or king. He could arrange a new marriage for her, often to one of his followers, who then gained the land.
What happened if a man’s heir was female?
If the deceased only had daughters, they came under the control of the lord or king. He could arrange their marriage to one of his followers, who then gained the land.
