| Let me first say that the rules of noble | | | | continued on both the spear (male) and distaff |
| succession, as they apply to a specific noble | | | | (female) side in parallel lines". |
| family, can normally not be changed. They are | | | | The vast majority of all noble families have |
| determined either by: | | | | agnatic succession, meaning both sons and |
| 1) the rules of succession laid down in the letter | | | | daughters of a noble father are noble, but only |
| patent which was given to the family member | | | | the grandchildren of the sons (and not of the |
| who was first ennobled (for patent nobility)or | | | | daughters) are noble. Certainly in most families |
| 2) the rules of succession in use at the time and | | | | created noble by means of a letter patent issued |
| the place where the family was first recognised | | | | by a Monarch, this is by far the most common |
| as noble (for original nobility) | | | | rule of succession. |
| It follows that in the case of patent nobility the | | | | Cognatic succession is, for practical genealogical |
| rules of succession could only be changed by the | | | | purposes, only relevant in a few cases where it |
| conferring authority, the reigning Monarch or his or | | | | can be shown that this was indeed the original |
| hers successors (if the constitution would allow | | | | form of noble succession of the family, and there |
| for such changes). | | | | is an unbroken chain of succession from these |
| In the case of the original nobility in my opinion | | | | (ancient) times down till today. |
| the rules of succession cannot ever be changed, | | | | If we were to discuss the succession to the |
| not even by a successor of the reigning Monarch | | | | headship of a family, it would be necessary to |
| who once recognised the family as noble, because | | | | distinguish between the two variants of cognatic |
| the rules of succession were in most cases not at | | | | succession, true and false. True cognatic |
| the Monarch's disposition to change. Hence, for all | | | | succession means the firstborn child, whether a |
| practical purposes and certainly for the study of | | | | son or a daughter, has the best claims. False |
| genealogy, we may assume that noble families | | | | cognatic succession would mean any son would |
| are bound by certain rules of succession that | | | | inherit before a daughter regardless if he was |
| must be adhered to. | | | | younger, but in the absence of sons the oldest |
| When we discuss succession, we should define | | | | daughter would have the best claims. |
| whether we mean the succession to the nobility | | | | The kingdom of Sweden today has, according to |
| (that is, which family members in the next | | | | its constitution, true cognatic succession, that is |
| generation will inherit the name, the arms and the | | | | the firstborn child of the Monarch has the best |
| quality of continuing the family line), and the | | | | claims to the succession to the Throne. Some |
| succession to the headship of a noble family. As | | | | other Monarchies also have this system. |
| implied by the title, in this article I will mainly | | | | If, for genealogical purposes, you want to find out |
| discuss the succession of nobility in the general | | | | if a certain noble family as agnatic or cognatic |
| and collective sense. | | | | succession, you need to either look at the letter |
| Noble succession is either agnatic or cognatic. In | | | | patent by which the family was created noble, or, |
| my genealogy book "Find Your Noble Ancestors!", | | | | in the case of the original nobility, establish the |
| I have defined those terms as follows: | | | | terms and conditions for noble succession in use |
| "Agnatic succession: succession to the nobility ... | | | | at the time and place where the family was first |
| continues only on the spear (male) side, from | | | | recognised as noble. In most cases, the family |
| father to son." "Cognatic succession: in many | | | | members living today will be able to tell you which |
| countries this was the original form of succession | | | | form of succession they have. |
| among the ancient nobility, meaning the nobility ... | | | | |