Post by Admin on Jan 26, 2015 12:58:21 GMT -5
Although marriages need to be approved by both parents, it is not strictly speaking entirely their decision. They often arrange partnerships at gatherings of the clans (with the Grand Gathering serving this function for the nobility), but either partner can object to a marriage if he or she can attest to the potential partner’s lack of character, lack of capacity to undertake the duties to the family or other circumstances dictated by tradition. Ultimately, the decision on whether a marriage should go ahead can be appealed to the Clan Laird. Marriage for love is rather rare, but it happens. The age at which betrothals and marriages happen is roughly equal for both men and women. After marriage, the woman typically becomes part of the man’s clan.
Divorce is possible, but not often used. It is restricted to cases where either party shows a demonstrable lack of character, dereliction of family duties or lack of honour. However, the very nature of circumstances warranting a divorce is such that to even request one is considered a slight to the honour of the Clan that is on the receiving end of the procedure. This has on occasion caused feuds that makes Clan Lairds wary of sanctioning a divorce, and most nobles wary of even considering one.
Property is divided between common property of the Clan or family and personal property. Personal property is inalienable even in case of marriage – a female holding independent property remains its titular holder even in marriage, though custom demands she use it for the good of her new Clan. A dowry is often arranged out of Clan or family property and reverts to the receiving Clan or family with the duty to use it to provide for the new couple. If a man dies childless, his wife can inherit his property; in other cases, the sons (even acknowledged bastards) inherit equal shares, but have the duty to take care of the widow if she has no independent means. A female’s independent means can be passed on to both sons and daughters. The common property of the Clan passes from the administration of one Clan Laird to the next, his eldest legitimate son, similarly so for family property on a smaller scale.
All children are born into the father’s Clan, even bastards. For this reason, though lack of faith in marriage is considered dishonourable, it is considered more disreputable to have a bastard and not acknowledge him or her than to have an acknowledged bastard. Bastards also receive part of the father’s inheritance as normal. If the father is a nobleman, they do not take the Clan name unless they are legitimized, which is only possible with the approval of the Elders if there is no male heir. Instead, they are usually known by the Clan name preceded by the patronyms fitz- or mac-. For instance, a bastard acknowledged by a Cadag nobleman would be Tomas FitzCadag or Tomas MacCadag. By comparison, a legitimate Cadag nobleman of that name would be Tomas Cadag or more formally Tomas a’Cadag. Bastards acknowledged by non-noble fathers often use the patronym fitz- or mac- and their father’s name as a surname.
Divorce is possible, but not often used. It is restricted to cases where either party shows a demonstrable lack of character, dereliction of family duties or lack of honour. However, the very nature of circumstances warranting a divorce is such that to even request one is considered a slight to the honour of the Clan that is on the receiving end of the procedure. This has on occasion caused feuds that makes Clan Lairds wary of sanctioning a divorce, and most nobles wary of even considering one.
Property is divided between common property of the Clan or family and personal property. Personal property is inalienable even in case of marriage – a female holding independent property remains its titular holder even in marriage, though custom demands she use it for the good of her new Clan. A dowry is often arranged out of Clan or family property and reverts to the receiving Clan or family with the duty to use it to provide for the new couple. If a man dies childless, his wife can inherit his property; in other cases, the sons (even acknowledged bastards) inherit equal shares, but have the duty to take care of the widow if she has no independent means. A female’s independent means can be passed on to both sons and daughters. The common property of the Clan passes from the administration of one Clan Laird to the next, his eldest legitimate son, similarly so for family property on a smaller scale.
All children are born into the father’s Clan, even bastards. For this reason, though lack of faith in marriage is considered dishonourable, it is considered more disreputable to have a bastard and not acknowledge him or her than to have an acknowledged bastard. Bastards also receive part of the father’s inheritance as normal. If the father is a nobleman, they do not take the Clan name unless they are legitimized, which is only possible with the approval of the Elders if there is no male heir. Instead, they are usually known by the Clan name preceded by the patronyms fitz- or mac-. For instance, a bastard acknowledged by a Cadag nobleman would be Tomas FitzCadag or Tomas MacCadag. By comparison, a legitimate Cadag nobleman of that name would be Tomas Cadag or more formally Tomas a’Cadag. Bastards acknowledged by non-noble fathers often use the patronym fitz- or mac- and their father’s name as a surname.