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Droit de Seigneur.

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Unknown

Unknown Report 11 Aug 2005 23:42

A nasty job, but someone had to do it! Does anyone know the dates during which this interesting practice took place? It could put a completely different slant on many Genealogies I should think.

KathleenBell

KathleenBell Report 12 Aug 2005 00:17

I don't know the answer to your question, but I bet it's not likely to be going on today. Where would they find the virgins!! Kath. x

Unknown

Unknown Report 12 Aug 2005 00:21

Kathleen Pssst! Let me know if you find out where they keep them. I am a Dragon, even if it is only an iron one. Lol

Heather

Heather Report 12 Aug 2005 00:23

Was it around the time of William the Conqueror? Heather

An Olde Crone

An Olde Crone Report 12 Aug 2005 00:23

Grampa Jim I should think it went on until fairly recently, if Catherine Cookson is to be believed! Certainly it went on until the end of the Manorial system - um, early 1600s?When did Norman Law end in this country, anyone? Actually, you have rather cleverly made a point here (but probably not the one you intended, LOL). If your humble family share the surname of a Great Manor Lord, it is tempting to believe that they got that name as their surname, because they were his 'possessions' rather than his relations. But in fact, if he exercised his Droit de Seigneur, then of course, you share his genes as well as his name! Thus adding weight to my crackpot theory that we are ALL descended from important families. One possible Landowning Ancestor of mine, exercised his rights all over the place - he had at least seven illegitimate children.Made me laugh, because as Lord of the Manor, he had to take out Bastardy Bonds against himself! Olde Crone