Primogeniture

Primogeniture is inheritance by the first-born of the entirety of a parent's wealth, estate or office, or in the absence of children, by collateral relatives in order of seniority of the collateral line.

Other principles of succession

Proximity or seniority mean that power rests tighter in hands of older generation and also that monarchs have shorter reigns.

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They tend to lead to some form of partition of the inheritance.

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Primogeniture has often meant underage monarchs and regency arrangements. Primogeniture tends to keep the inheritance undivided and even in increase.

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