Primogeniture....
Most of us who have
studied British history know something of Primogeniture, which is the right of
succession belonging to the firstborn child, especially the feudal rule by
which the whole real estate of an intestate passed to the eldest son. I cannot
write a Regency “romance” without knowledge of
this process. As it was for centuries, a man’s status in 19th Century British Society rested in the land he held.
Land was a symbol of wealth and social rank. Therefore, the need to pass one’s “wealth” to future generations increased with the amount of land he owned.
Land was “influence,” as well as affluence. To ensure one’s descendants received what had been incurred,
a system known as primogeniture was put in place. Primogeniture meant that all
the land in each generation’s
possession was left to the eldest son in the family rather than being divided
equally among off the offspring. Secondly, an entail assured that said “eldest son” could not mortgage or divide or sell said inheritance. It was to be
held for his eldest son, etc., etc., etc.
Primogeniture developed during Norman times. By
leaving the land to the eldest son, the estate would remain intact for future
generations. It would also be economically capable of supporting a military
force, which could assist the king. By the 19th Century, the King/Queen had
other means to field a military presence, and social status became the basis of
the practice. Customarily, primogeniture was part of a gentleman’s will or deeds of settlement. This
practice remained intact until 1925, when it was changed by law.
The entail prevented
a wastrel from selling off the family estate to pay his debts. An entail was defined
by a deed of settlement (or) a strict settlement. The heir customarily received
the land for his use ONLY in his lifetime. His rights ceased to exist upon his
death.
Originally, many
attempted to entail their properties until the end of the world, so to speak.
However, the law would not permit “infinity” to stand. In practice, an entailed property
only remained so until the grandson of the land owner making the settlement
became of age at 21 years. Then, the heir could sell or give away the property.
So, theoretically, the entail only held the land through the first and second
generation of land owners. However, a little coercion often secured the land
for future generations.
Most land owners
(and their sons) held no other financial employment. If the property owner’s son wished to keep his “allowance,” he agreed to sign a
new deed of settlement, which would assure the property remained in the family
for the next two generations, etc., etc.
So what does this
legal “mumbo jumbo” have to do with my
latest romantic suspense release? More than you may suspect. In Angel Comes
to the Devil’s Keep, the Duke of Devilfoard worries for the future of the dukedom when
his eldest son, the Marquess of Malvern, suffers an accident which robs him of
parts of his memory. In addition, there is the issue of Viscount Moses assuming
an earldom when no direct heir is available. The problem is once Moses is named
the Earl of Sandahl he goes missing upon his “honeymoon.” Has he produced an heir to the earldom and the viscounty? If not,
which of his two brothers will inherit the titles? Reason says the elder of the
two, but if you know anything of my writing, “reason” often becomes quite twisted.
Angel Comes to the Devil’s Keep
Huntington
McLaughlin, the Marquess of Malvern, wakes in a farmhouse, after a head injury,
being tended by an ethereal "angel," who claims to be his wife.
However, reality is often deceptive, and Angelica Lovelace is far from innocent
in Hunt's difficulties. Yet, there is something about the woman that calls to
him as no other ever has. When she attends his mother's annual summer house
party, their lives are intertwined in a series of mistaken identities,
assaults, kidnappings, overlapping relations, and murders, which will either
bring them together forever or tear them irretrievably apart. As Hunt attempts
to right his world from problems caused by the head injury that has robbed him
of parts of his memory, his best friend, the Earl of Remmington, makes it clear
that he intends to claim Angelica as his wife. Hunt must decide whether to
permit her to align herself with the earldom or claim the only woman who stirs
his heart--and if he does the latter, can he still serve the dukedom with a
hoydenish American heiress at his side?
Early Reviews: Angel
Comes to Devil's Keep is a well-written tale of courage and sacrifice and
what women went through in order to marry well in Regency England. The author
did her homework and it shows in an authenticity that we don't often see in
Regency romances.
Purchase Links:
Black Opal Books
(both eBook and Print copies available ~ print copies contain a signed bookplate)
Nook
Kobo
Smashwords
Previous Article: Are Reviews Important?
Thanks for hosting me today, Helen.
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure Regina!
Delete