Primogeniture << `pry` muh JEHN uh chur >> is a system of inheritance widely used in Europe for hundreds of years. Under this system, the oldest child in a family, and often the oldest son, has the sole right to inherit land and other possessions from the parents. During the Middle Ages, primogeniture developed in England and other European countries. The oldest child in the royal family became the successor to the throne. The system also kept the nobles’ large landholdings from being broken up among their children into many small estates. It preserved the social position and prestige of the noble families. Peasants and other landholders also practiced primogeniture.
Primogeniture gradually disappeared in Europe, except among ruling families. It came to an end in Britain in 1925, except for the royal family. The United States abolished primogeniture by law.
