Rules of Noble Succession

Home
>
Humanities
>
Rules of Noble Succession

Rules of Noble Succession

Let me first say that the rules of noble succession, as they apply to a specific noble family, can normally not be changed. They are determined either by:

1) the rules of succession laid down in the letter patent which was given to the family member who was first ennobled (for patent nobility)

2) the rules of succession in use at the time and the place where the family was first recognised as noble (for original nobility)

It follows that in the case of patent nobility the rules of succession could only be changed by the conferring authority, the reigning Monarch or his or hers successors (if the constitution would allow for such changes).

In the case of the original nobility in my opinion the rules of succession cannot ever be changed, not even by a successor of the reigning Monarch who once recognised the family as noble, because the rules of succession were in most cases not at the Monarch's disposition to change. Hence, for all practical purposes and certainly for the study of genealogy, we may assume that noble families are bound by certain rules of succession that must be adhered to.

When we discuss succession, we should define whether we mean the succession to the nobility (that is, which family members in the next generation will inherit the name, the arms and the quality of continuing the family line), and the succession to the headship of a noble family. As implied by the title, in this article I will mainly discuss the succession of nobility in the general and collective sense.

Noble succession is either agnatic or cognatic. In my genealogy book "Find Your Noble Ancestors!", I have defined those terms as follows: "Agnatic succession: succession to the nobility ... continues only on the spear (male) side, from father to son." "Cognatic succession: in many countries this was the original form of succession among the ancient nobility, meaning the nobility ... continued on both the spear (male) and distaff (female) side in parallel lines".

The vast majority of all noble families have agnatic succession, meaning both sons and daughters of a noble father are noble, but only the grandchildren of the sons (and not of the daughters) are noble. Certainly in most families created noble by means of a letter patent issued by a Monarch, this is by far the most common rule of succession.

Cognatic succession is, for practical genealogical purposes, only relevant in a few cases where it can be shown that this was indeed the original form of noble succession of the family, and there is an unbroken chain of succession from these (ancient) times down till today.

If we were to discuss the succession to the headship of a family, it would be necessary to distinguish between the two variants of cognatic succession, true and false. True cognatic succession means the firstborn child, whether a son or a daughter, has the best claims. False cognatic succession would mean any son would inherit before a daughter regardless if he was younger, but in the absence of sons the oldest daughter would have the best claims.

The kingdom of Sweden today has, according to its constitution, true cognatic succession, that is the firstborn child of the Monarch has the best claims to the succession to the Throne. Some other Monarchies also have this system.

If, for genealogical purposes, you want to find out if a certain noble family as agnatic or cognatic succession, you need to either look at the letter patent by which the family was created noble, or, in the case of the original nobility, establish the terms and conditions for noble succession in use at the time and place where the family was first recognised as noble. In most cases, the family members living today will be able to tell you which form of succession they have.

Jan-Olov von Wowern lives in Stockholm, Sweden, and is the head of the Swedish branch of the von Wowern family, dating back to its founder who was born around 1090 and made a Marquis in 1141. He is active in European charitable and nobiliary work. Visit his page at http://www.findyournobleancestors.com and download a FREE chapter from his book.

In The News:

BU Today
Two Guggenheims Will Fuel Humanities Research
BU Today
McCann photo by Vernon Doucette Two College of Arts & Sciences professors specializing in the humanities are taking a temporary break from campus, with help from the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation. Guggenheim fellowships, often characterized ...

The Cord
Government of Canada to Announce Investment in Research Partnerships
MarketWatch (press release)
The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for Science and Technology, will make an announcement related to funding for new research partnerships in the social sciences and humanities among the academic, private, public, and not-for-profit sectors ...
Humanities, social sciences, creative arts more relevant than everGuelph Mercury
Waterloo Region hosts massive academic gatheringWaterloo Record
Waterloo community hopes to boost reputation with Congress 2012The Cord
Exchange Morning Post (press release)
all 10 news articles »

Noozhawk
Michael Douglas Donates $500000 to UCSB to Endow Dean's Chair
Noozhawk
By UCSB | Published on 05.24.2012 A matching amount from UC Presidential Funds completes a $1 million commitment to support the Michael Douglas Dean of Humanities and Fine Arts. The chair will support teaching, research, and programs in the humanities ...
Michael Douglas Donates $500000 to UCSBSanta Barbara Independent

all 3 news articles »

Media Advisory: Governor General of Canada to Deliver Keynote Address at ...
MarketWatch (press release)
OTTAWA, ONTARIO, May 23, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, will deliver a keynote address on the opening day of the 2012 Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, ...
Local academics join those sharing their researchWaterloo Record

all 2 news articles »

Media Advisory: Governor General of Canada to Deliver Keynote Address at ...
Marketwire (press release)
OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - May 23, 2012) - His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, will deliver a keynote address on the opening day of the 2012 Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, on Saturday, ...

and more »

Ferndale Museum receives documentary grant
Times-Standard
Cal Humanities recently announced the 2012 Community Stories grant awardees, and the Ferndale Museum has been awarded $10000 for its documentary project titled “The Span of the Century.” Community Stories is a competitive grant program of Cal ...

Solomon's Choice: Valuing Biblical Studies and Humanities Education
The Bible and Interpretation
This attitude attacks all the humanities and arts, but it is especially true for Biblical Studies, sometimes seen as irrelevant even by other humanities scholars. Those of us who are engaged in researching and teaching in Biblical Studies need to be ...

Vermont Humanities Council seeks nominations for tenth annual Victor R ...
vtdigger.org
For ten years, the Vermont Humanities Council has honored such teachers with the Victor R. Swenson Humanities Educator Award, which recognizes a Vermont educator in grades 6 through 12 who exemplifies excellence in the teaching of the humanities.
Humanities Council seeks teacher nomineesRutland Herald

all 2 news articles »

Annual Senator Pell Lecture on Arts & Humanities to be held in Providence
The Republic
AP PROVIDENCE, RI — Providence Mayor Angel Taveras (tuh-VEHR'-us) is hosting the annual Senator Pell Lecture on Arts & Humanities. The presentation is scheduled for Thursday evening at the Pell Chafee (CHAY'-fee) Performance Center and is entitled ...

and more »

U. of U. adds environmental center in Montana
Salt Lake Tribune
By Dana Ferguson The University of Utah will extend its campus beyond Salt Lake City as it adds the Environmental Humanities Education Center on the southern border of Montana. The site in Montana's Centennial Valley will offer a place for students and ...
U of U Offers Environmental Education in MontanaKCPW (blog)

all 2 news articles »

Google News