Answered
In History, Politics & Society
What is the significance of primogeniture?
Primogeniture means only the oldest son (or oldest child) caninherit the entire property. The opposite of primogeniture is partible inheritance, in whichmore than one son (or …child) can inherit parts of the property. A partible inheritance meant that the property was divided. In thecase of a kingdom, that means that two kingdoms might exist wherethere had been one. Charlemagne's empire was divided among hisgrandsons in this way, giving rise to several kingdoms and a muchweakened empire. Adopting primogeniture meant that kingdoms could be consolidatedand enlarged over time. The descendants of Charlemagne adopted itit France, and this allowed France to continue as a nation to thisday. For counties and smaller properties, the same holds true. If acount were to divide his county among a number of sons, it wouldproduce a very much smaller inheritance for each, allowing thefamily to lose its base. By adopting primogeniture, the countyremains a county. Younger sons who did not inherit often becameknights and took smaller manorial estates. ( Full Answer )