Primogeniture

[SusanDoris]

Two wives - both of Dukes I think - on the PM programme were discussing primogeniture with regard to their daughters. The Royals now have this sorted out, so why not the families holding hereditary titles?! One of the Ladies, who thinks things should stay as they are, introduced the red herring of the position of younger sons which is, of course, irrelevant, but the other said that the duchy will end when her husband dies, because there are no males on whom the title can fall. In my opinionb, such titles should pass to the oldest daughterif there are no sons.

and for those who think the whole system should be abolished - wel, it isn't going to happen soon, is it?! Therefore, it should catch up with the 21st century.

[Rhiannon]

The whole notion of hereditary titles is bizarre, Susan. I can't imagine wanting one and if I had I'd be glad to see it die.

One of the most famous 'victims' of primogeniture was Vita Sackville West, who lost Knowle and who subsequently went on to create the gardens at Sissinghurst, the home she bought with Harold Nicholson. From what I've read she never really came to terms with it.

[SusanDoris]

The whole notion of hereditary titles is bizarre, Susan. I can't imagine wanting one and if I had I'd be glad to see it die.

I agree of course, but realistically, that isn't going to happen for a while and in the meantime, do you think the Lady who wants her daughter to inherit the duchy is right to stand up for equality here?

One of the most famous 'victims' of primogeniture was Vita Sackville West, who lost Knowle and who subsequently went on to create the gardens at Sissinghurst, the home she bought with Harold Nicholson. From what I've read she never really came to terms with it.

My reader is at present reading me a book about the women in Vita s-W's life, starting with Pepita, a dancer, and her mother in the mid-19th century. Pepita's partner was Lionel s-W. It is very interesting so far, and Vita's name cropped up in the biography of Beryl Markham.