9,919
edits
Westarctica (talk | contribs) |
Westarctica (talk | contribs) |
||
Line 3: | Line 3: | ||
It is common, but incorrect, to speak of peerage dignities which are dormant (i.e. unclaimed) as being in abeyance. | It is common, but incorrect, to speak of peerage dignities which are dormant (i.e. unclaimed) as being in abeyance. | ||
==History== | ==History in the United Kingdom== | ||
The most common use of the term is in the case of English [[Peerage of Westarctica|peerage dignities]]. Most English peerages pass to heirs-male, but the ancient [[baron]]ies created by writ, as well as some very old earldoms, pass instead to heirs-general (by cognatic primogeniture). In this system, sons are preferred from eldest to youngest, the heirs of a son over the next son, and any son over daughters, but there is no preference among daughters: they or their heirs inherit equally. | The most common use of the term is in the case of English [[Peerage of Westarctica|peerage dignities]]. Most English peerages pass to heirs-male, but the ancient [[baron]]ies created by writ, as well as some very old earldoms, pass instead to heirs-general (by cognatic primogeniture). In this system, sons are preferred from eldest to youngest, the heirs of a son over the next son, and any son over daughters, but there is no preference among daughters: they or their heirs inherit equally. | ||