Lordships acquired by marriage. The heiress and the power of political elites in 12th-century Western Europe
The claim of heiresses to succeed their father was acknowledged in the West of Europe in the 12th century. The lordship acquired by marriage is a situation where power needs to be delegated and therefore is suited to show the connection and mutual dependency of claim and actual rule. Moments of transition like the death of the heiress’s father, her marriage, the birth of a son throw light on legitimacy and the interdependency of regulating royal interventions and the elites’ demand of participation.
Project Manager
Western Europe
Study Region
12th Century
Study Period