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To: Verginius Rufus

Twelve generations ago the feudal lord had what is known as the right of first night - droit du seignoir. Some of those nights could have resulted in pregnancy. Once again, it was the woman who suffered, not the man.


83 posted on 05/12/2025 4:57:16 PM PDT by ladyjane
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To: ladyjane; Verginius Rufus

It is very controversial whether that is true or now. Feminists believe it is true, but other scholars don’t believe that happened.


97 posted on 05/12/2025 5:35:08 PM PDT by nickcarraway
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To: ladyjane
It's debated but the "right of first night" appears to be a myth.

In that city the nobles had a lot of illegitimate children (something like 17% of their children were "out of wedlock"), but the men often saw to it that their sons were set up with an occupation. In my ancestors' case it was architects/stone masons.

The one who had 4 illegitimate children had none by a wife. Maybe the mother was a long-time mistress...perhaps someone he couldn't marry because she was not from a noble family.

98 posted on 05/12/2025 5:37:42 PM PDT by Verginius Rufus
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To: ladyjane
Twelve generations ago the feudal lord had what is known as the right of first night

Now she's giving it up to Pookie and Ray Ray before looking for a bill-paying simp to "settle" for.

112 posted on 05/12/2025 7:18:37 PM PDT by T.B. Yoits
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