Succession

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As nobility became inheritable, various rules evolved/set up to guide the succession and provide stability while doing so. In general the rights to a title went to the firstborn sons - basic primogeniture.
The rights of women varied depending on local customs (and through time) and could be said to be ordered as no rights -> rights to sons -> rights to husbands -> own right; they would often be held behind their brothers and held equal to their younger sisters; when transmitting rights to their sons it could vary as to whether her transmitted rights were treated as if she was a son of the same age or younger; whether precedence was followed or overridden often depended on the politicomilitary power of the claimant or their liegelord.
Proximity of blood also vied with primogeniture as uncles contested sons, nephews (cf John Lackland vs Arthur of Brittany), grandsons (cf Sancho IV vs Alfonso de la Cerda); proximity was often a factor when comparing inheritance through female lines.
Before considering complications such as elective and partible succession, let us use the example to order the heirs to Noble2 in various primogenitures.

Noble
- Noble1
- - Noble2
- A1(f)
- - A2(f)
- - - A3(m)
- B1(m)
- - B2(f)
- - - B3(m)
- C1(f)
- - C2(m)
- - - C3(m)
- D1(m)
- - D2(m)
- - - D3(m)
 
Agnatic Primogeniture - direct male lines only
B1, D1, D2, D3

Partial Cognatic Primogeniture 1 - unequal representation, transmission to sons only
B1, B3, D1, D2, D3, C2, C3

Partial Cognatic Primogeniture 2 - unequal representation, any transmission [1]
B1, (B2), B3, D1, D2, D3, (A1=C1), C2(=A2)=A3 [2], C3

Partial Cognatic Primogeniture 3 - equal representation, transmission to sons only
(A1), (A2), B1, (B2), B3, (C1), C2, C3, D1, D2, D3

Cognatic Primogeniture 1 - equal representation, any transmission
(A1), (A2), A3, B1, (B2), B3, (C1), C2, C3, D1, D2, D3

Cognatic Primogeniture 2 - unequal representation but female succession, any transmission
B1, B2, B3, D1, D2, D3, A1, A2, A3, C1, C2, C3

Absolute Primogeniture
A1, A2, A3, B1, B2, B3, C1, C2, C3, D1, D2, D3

[1] Brackets indicate a circumstance dependent female succession
[2] As female lines A and C are coequal the order of A3, C2, C3 depends on local conditions
 
Let's now consider complications

Nobles Choice
This is where the Noble in question chooses their successor with the backing of their vassals/council. Often it is a choice from among the available relatives. The successor is often co-crowned.

Elective Titles
Some titles are elective with the vassals choosing their liege from among the available candidates. To qualify candidates would often have to be a descendant of a previous holder or married to one, and mosttimes be an adult male. Sometimes titles were only elective in the absence of a clear proximate heir or where too many claimants were possible.

Arbitration
Lords generally arranged that their vassal's titles would revert back to them on lack of a (suitable) heir but sometimes their only right was to arbitrate among possible heirs. Sometimes they would be called upon in order to avert (open) warfare (cf Edward I's arbitration on the Crown of Scotland). Sometimes the right of arbitration would fall upon the highest local representative of the Church, who would be assumed to be impartial and guided by God.

Partition
In areas hewing closer to Celtic and Germanic customs, all sons had a right to inherit and lands would be divided among them - sometimes the land was shared, sometimes only the title was (cf Co-Dukes of Bavaria with Dukes of Saxony) - though the eldest son would increase their share under increasing influence of primogeniture.
 
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I've been reminded to point out that during the Middle Ages these "rules" were more customary rather than legal precedent; and that they were strongly influenced by local politicking and other power relationships.

It's only with the formation of nation-states that succession was put into a more legalistic context.
 
My favourite type of succession is when the title can only pass through women.

The logic follows that women for most of human history are the only known parent. Anyone could be the father but anyone witnessing the birth can verify motherhood. No one can verify fatherhood. Since divine blood is so important and you can have analogies to Mary if this is Christian.

So to ensure royal blood all succession is matrilineal. That doesn't mean that women will rule, but they'll hopefully be treated better. I imagine lots of incest and lots of uncles and brothers and such fighting for the throne just like otl. And since surnames follow women if a house has only men they're wiped out instead of vice versa

Not sure how often this was practiced irl though
 
My favourite type of succession is when the title can only pass through women.

The logic follows that women for most of human history are the only known parent. Anyone could be the father but anyone witnessing the birth can verify motherhood. No one can verify fatherhood. Since divine blood is so important and you can have analogies to Mary if this is Christian.

So to ensure royal blood all succession is matrilineal. That doesn't mean that women will rule, but they'll hopefully be treated better. I imagine lots of incest and lots of uncles and brothers and such fighting for the throne just like otl. And since surnames follow women if a house has only men they're wiped out instead of vice versa

Not sure how often this was practiced irl though
That's an interesting thought.
Though it's hard to see it arise where both sanctity of marriage and knowledge that sex can lead to babies exist.

I think any male preference matrilinear succession would therefore not be primogeniture. Uncles before nephews and grandsons seems highly likely.
 
Under a "partial cognatic primogeniture" scheme, when would it be most conventional to consider B3's claim if Noble2 and B1 were already dead by B3's birth?
 
Under a "partial cognatic primogeniture" scheme, when would it be most conventional to consider B3's claim if Noble2 and B1 were already dead by B3's birth?
It will depend if B1 died before or after Noble2. If we assume before then D1's line (unless version 3 is in effect) would inherit and likely sideline/kill B3.
 
Not sure how often this was practiced irl though
I think ive heard it said that pictish kingship was male preferenced matrilineal, but im unsure how accurate that is.

Theres also the pre-romanized britons who weren't that bothered with females becoming chief/queen, though im not aware if they were ahead of certain males or if they were the only remaining heirs
 
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