-Caveat Lector-
"Robert F. Tatman" wrote:
>
> -Caveat Lector-
>
> Kelly, to the best of my knowledge, this "first night" custom was a survival
> from the medieval *jus primae noctis* [apologies if my Latin is bad] or "law of
> the first night," under which the seigneur of the manor (usually a baron in
> England) had the right to insist on sleeping with each bride on the first night
> after her marriage. The assumption has always been that this also entailed
> deflowering the (presumably) virgin bride, although that was probably not always
> the case, especially when the seigneur was, shall we say, beyond the "virile
> years." Beyond the medieval custom, which obtained universally wherever
> feudalism held sway, I have no idea where it could have originated. The purpose
> was obviously two-fold: first, to establish the seigneur as alpha male--"top dog
> in the pack;" and second, to ensure a plentiful supply of bastards to act as
> reliable officers for the seigneur without the temptations of money and power
> always present for legitimate heirs.
>
> You can check any good social history of the Middle Ages to confirm what I've
> written.
>
> Bob
>
Bob has a pretty good description here.
It's also called in French "droit du seigneur", right of the lord.
--
´´
Mark McHugh
Sapere aude!
<A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org</A>
DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER
==========
CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic
screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are
sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, mis-
directions and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with
major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought.
That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and
always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no
credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply.
Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector.
========================================================================
Archives Available at:
http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html
<A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html">Archives of
[EMAIL PROTECTED]</A>
http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/
<A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/">ctrl</A>
========================================================================
To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email:
SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email:
SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Om
