Ladies First? When your sex and birth order affects your inheritance

Primogeniture is the system of inheritance where the eldest son (or daughter if applicable) will inherit titles, estates, and money.  In Britain, aristocratic titles are predominantly passed on through Agnatic (or male only) primogeniture, whilst in the Royal Family the line of succession for the crown was, until 2013, passed on through male preference primogeniture (where a younger male child would inherit ahead of an older female child), the British Royal Family now use absolute primogeniture (where the oldest child inherits regardless of sex) for the line of succession for the crown. This post is going to look at the three types of primogeniture, (agnatic, male preference and absolute), and use the British Royal Family and the fictional Bridgerton universe as examples to illustrate each type of primogeniture. 

Agnatic (male only) Primogeniture

Under Agnatic Primogeniture only the eldest male child is able to inherit the title, and for most aristocratic titles in the UK this is how the inheritance for the title and estates is passed on, even in modern times.  In the fictional world of Bridgerton one of the best examples of this practice is within the Featherington family.  When Baron Featherington died at the end of season 1 it was unknown who would inherit the title and estate, and despite Baron Featherington having 3 daughters the title and estate would not be inherited by any of them, due to the practice of Agnatic Primogeniture.  Under Agnatic Primogeniture the Featherington title and estate went to the nearest male relative to Archibald Featherington.  

The way this is decided is by going back each generation until a male relative is found.  Using the example of Baron Featherington, we know that the eventual heir (Jack) was a fourth cousin to Prudence, Philippa and Penelope, which means they share a Great Great Great Grandfather.  What this means in terms of establishing the next Featherington heir is that they had to go back four generations from Archibald in order to find a line with an eligible living male relative.  

This illustrates how agnatic primogeniture can create a situation where a title and estate is inherited far removed from the immediate family of the former holder.   

Male Preference Primogeniture

Under Male Preference Primogeniture sons will inherit a title and estates ahead of any daughters, even if those daughters are older.  The best real world example of this is the British Royal Family who had practiced Male Preference Primogeniture until the change in succession legislation in the UK and Commonwealth realms in 2013 (ahead of the birth of HRH Prince George).  Within the British Royal Family we see that HRH Princess Anne The Princess Royal is below her younger brothers, Prince Andrew The Duke of York and Prince Edward The Duke of Edinburgh, in the line of succession due to the male preference primogeniture practiced at the time of her birth.  

Applying male preference primogeniture in Bridgerton we will move out of the main Bridgerton show, to the Queen Charlotte spin off, where we see the application of male preference primogeniture referenced indirectly in the first and the final episodes, though the succession question was a major plot point for the Regency period in the show.  

In the first episode a succession crisis was sparked by the death of Princess Charlotte of Wales, the granddaughter of Queen Charlotte and King George III, this is because Princess Charlotte was second in line to the throne after her father, The Prince Regent.  If Princess Charlotte had a younger brother he would have been ahead of her in line to the crown, but she did not thus she was to inherit after her father's reign.  If HRH Prince Frederick The Duke of York, HRH Prince William The Duke of Clarence, or HRH Prince Edward The Duke of Kent (the next three sons of Queen Charlotte and King George III) had sons they would not have jumped Princess Charlotte in the line of succession, but taken a position below their fathers who in turn were below Princess Charlotte.  

In the final episode of Queen Charlotte, HRH Prince Edward The Duke of Kent went to Queen Charlotte to advise his wife was pregnant and they felt it would be a girl, though this was very much the show pushing the point they were talking about the conception of Queen Victoria, the point they were making was that at this time she became the fourth in line to the throne after her uncles The Prince Regent and The Duke of Clarence, and after her father The Duke of Kent, but she would be ahead of her other aunts and uncles.  By the time her uncle The Prince Regent took the throne as HM King George IV, Victoria's father had died moving her to first third, then second, in the line of succession, and when her uncle The Duke of Clarence took the throne as HM King William IV Victoria became the heir apparent ahead of her aunts and uncles, and any male cousins she may have had.  

Absolute Primogeniture

In contrast to Agnatic and Male Preference Primogeniture, Absolute primogeniture is when the eldest legitimate child - regardless of sex - inherits the title and estate.  As mentioned above, the British Royal Family now use absolute primogeniture when determining the line of succession to the crown, after amendments to the Succession to the Crown Act passed by the UK Parliament and the parliament's of the 15 Commonwealth Realms.  

The update of the Succession to the Crown Act applied to children born after 28 October 2011, meaning that any boys born after this date would not precede their older sisters in the line of succession. This change did not impact the monarch's succession for the following three generations after Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.  The first children to be affected by the change were those of Lady Davina Lewis, the daughter of HRH Prince Richard The Duke of Gloucester.  Lady Davina's children, Tane (b. 2012) and Senna (b. 2010), who were 28th and 29th in the line of succession at the time had their order reversed in the line of succession, with Tane dropping to 29th and Senna moving up to 28th.  

Since the change to the legislation we have seen how absolute primogeniture has changed the way the line of succession looks with the births of HRH Princess Charlotte and HRH Prince Louis.  Prior to the change Princess Charlotte would have dropped one place in the line of succession on the birth of Prince Louis, however, with absolute primogeniture she retained her place of fourth (now third) in the line of succession even with the birth of a younger brother.  

Within the Bridgerton Universe if absolute, (and not agnatic), primogeniture was in place in the aristocracy we would see this applied upon the death of Edmund's father, the seventh Viscount Bridgerton where it would be Billie Bridgerton who inherited not Edmund.  

Note:  HRH refers to His/Her Royal Highness and is used for those that have that style granted by the monarch

Kate and Anthony Week: May I have this dance?

First published on Tumblr on 12 May 2023 as part of Kate and Anthony Week 2023

We see Kate and Anthony dance three times in Season 2, and each dance tells us a little of their story.

Please note this is based on my thoughts when watching the dances, and does not reference the intent of the choreography, which may be different to my interpretation.

Dance 1: Hearts and Flowers Ball. During the first 90 seconds of this dance there is no dialogue, this combined with their continual eye contact, and the choreography of coming together and moving away makes this one of the most intense dance sequences I have seen. For me this shows Kate and Anthony where they are at in their relationship at this point, they are drawn to each other naturally, but they keep pulling away, then they get very close, before pulling away again. Once the dialogue begins it seems to break Kate and Anthony, and the viewers, out of the spell that they were in during that first 90 seconds, and though the dialogue is about Edwina, it reveals Kate to Anthony as well. Whilst discussing Edwina, and her happiness, Anthony asks Kate if she wants him to reconsider his intent, and Kate responds with 'it does not matter what I want', Anthony has a look of hurt almost on his face as she says this, he realises that Kate does not believe she matters, and he feels that loneliness and hurt that Kate does. Whilst we did not get long monologues of these two getting to know each other, I think in these moments the amazing acting of Jonathan Bailey and Simone Ashley helped communicate more about their characters than any big speech could, and in turn Anthony and Kate learn about each other. I just want to end on this dance with the note that when Anthony hears that Kate is returning to India his face, and body language, reveals a similar panic that we saw in him when Kate was stung by the bee, it wasn't as intense, but he certainly displayed a mild panic. To me this shows that even if he wasn't acknowledging it yet, Anthony knew that Kate was the one for him and the one that balanced his anxiety and stress, and kept him calm.

Dance 2: Harmony Ball. This dance was a lot more joyous than the first dance, and being a country dance we got to see Kate and Anthony dance, and interact, with others. Right at the beginning of the dance we see Kate look at Anthony with a softness we haven't seen before, she is charmed by him including Hyacinth, and you can see that she is falling in love (if she isn't already in love with him), and she knows that she is. This is a lighthearted country dance where we see Anthony dance with Hyacinth, Lady Danbury and Kate, and we see Kate dance with Colin, Violet, and then of course Anthony. What we see with Anthony and Kate is a lightness and a joy that we haven't seen before, we see that they take genuine joy in each other, and even at the end when they were reluctant to let go of each other's hands showed that they really didn't want the dance to be over, and they didn't want to leave each other's presence, but their bodies were facing from each other at this point, showing that even though they were happy to be with each other they still weren't at a point to completely let go of what was holding them back, especially for Kate. This dance represents what I hope to see more of in Season 3 with Kate and Anthony. One final note, this dance also showed very much how Kate is a Bridgerton, she fits in with the family, and she is part of it.

Dance 3: Wrecking Ball Dance. This dance is, I think, their most beautiful dance, it lacks the intenseness of their first dance and the joy of their second dance, but it is full of love. Both Kate and Anthony think this is the last time they will see each other, and dance together, and at this point they have both fully given into their own feelings for each other. As the other dancers begin to leave the floor and Kate asks Anthony if he wants to stop, he responds with the lines 'keep looking at me' and 'no-one else matters', this second part is a call back to both Kate and Anthony in separate scenes (episode 4 & episode 5) both saying a variation on the theme 'I don't matter'. Anthony is telling Kate that she matters, and he matters, he is acknowledging that what they want matters and that they can have it. And we can't mention this dance without mentioning the move at the end, as their hands lowered, Kate's iconic eyebrow scrunch, but more so the longing that they both have for each other, they truly seemed to forget everyone else, and were completely in tune with each other.

A note on the dances, I said at the beginning that each dance told a little of their story, and the progression of the dances does this. In the first dance they were moving away from each other before coming together, but often they weren't facing each other for much of the dance, but in different directions or occasionally in the same direction whilst not looking at each other, thus showing that they were more combative with each other, whilst drawn to each other. In the second dance there were equal moments where they were either side by side, or facing each other, and whilst happy they still hadn't fully given in to either their feelings, or the idea they could have what they wanted, but they were getting there. In this dance they were happy in each other's presence, but as the dance symbolised, it was the beginning of them moving forward since part of the dance had them not facing each other, but side by side. In the final dance, with the slight exception of a few turns, they were facing each other for the duration of the dance. This represents them coming together, finally accepting their feelings for each other, and them remaining on the dance floor shows they are now living for themselves and what makes them happy. The final move in the dance (mentioned above), had them close and sharing their breath, this fits in with previous moments of them getting close and sharing breath. Whilst I am sure it was not a reason for Bridgerton to include this aspect for Kate and Anthony, in some cultures around the world the sharing of the breath is seen as something spiritual, sharing the breath of life. In Bridgerton it is a call back to both Violet in episode three where she said Edmund was the air she breathed, and to Anthony in episode 7 where he told Kate she was all he could breathe for, they are what gives each other life, and this is symbolised in this move where they share the breath with each other.

Kate and Anthony Week: Tulips

This was first published as part of Kate and Anthony Week 2023 on 10 May 2023

All Kanthony fans are aware of the importance of Tulips to their story and folklore.  In the book Anthony picks a Tulip from his mother's garden at Aubrey Hall and gives it to Kate, from this one scene a folklore was born, and Tulips will forever be connected to Anthony and Kate in the Bridgerton Universe. 

In season 1 of Bridgerton we see Tulip imagery in connection to Anthony, with the most overt one being during an exchange Anthony has with Violet.  Violet is doing some embroidery and shows Anthony, she is embroidering Tulips for Daphne, and says that they represent passion and says 'maybe your bride would like some', foreshadowing the connection with Anthony and Kate and Tulips. 

But let's backtrack a little, and look at the meaning of Tulips as a flower.  Tulips represent a perfect or deep love, they also represent rebirth.  Tulips are a flower to give to the person you have a deep and unconditional love for, but also they are ideal for a person going through life changes and taking on new challenges.  

From the perspective of Kate and Anthony, Tulips are the perfect flower to represent them, their love, but also their journey in the show. 

Not only do Kate and Anthony have a deep love for each other, during the course of the show they went through changes, taking on new challenges, as they grew into themselves and their love, the Tulip represents this in its simplest form. 

It is fitting then that when Anthony visits Kate after her accident he takes her Tulips as the representation of the life changes, and his deep love for her.  But the colour of the Tulips is also representative of their journey and their story.  The Tulips Anthony takes to Kate are Pink tinged with yellow, which can be read in a number of ways, but I believe symbolise their deep love, the overall affection, but also hope and forgiveness, respect and honour.  

Red Tulips are commonly symbolic of a deeb abiding love, but by having Anthony take Kate pink Tulips the red is mixed with white which is symbolic of forgiveness (asking for not giving), respect and hope.  I believe that by making the Tulips pink the show was mixing these two colours to symbolise Anthony's deep and abiding love for Kate, but also his deep respect for her whilst asking for her forgiveness.  Further the Tulips that Anthony gave Kate had a yellow tinge on the bottom of the flower, with yellow Tulips symbolising hope I believe this was to symbolise Anthony's hope for a future with Kate.  

Within the Bridgerton Universe these flowers symbolising a deep and perfect love will forever be associated with Kate and Anthony, and that is reflected when Gregory says that it is their love that made him believe in love.  

For many of us Kate and Anthony will always symbolise the love to aspire to, and the Tulip will always symbolise that for us.  

Kate and Anthony Week: I am a Gentleman

First posted on Tumblr on 9 May 2023 as part of Kate and Anthony Week

Throughout Season 2 we hear Anthony utter the words 'I am a gentleman'. To be honest I never counted how many times he said it, but I do feel that we believe he said it more times than he did, one day I might rewatch and count the number of times that line is said.

However, whilst some (including me) may laugh and think it is funny, make jokes about it and even turn it into a drinking game Anthony saying these words whilst acting anything like a gentleman, I think there is another meaning for him saying the words.

Some have speculated it is Anthony reminding himself he is a gentleman for him to keep control whilst he is around Kate, however, I think it goes further, and is as much Anthony reminding himself (and Kate) that she is a lady. This echoes back to a conversation he had with Siena in Season 1.

In Season 1, in one scene with Siena Anthony is talking about having to leave her to escort Daphne to a ball, Siena complains and Anthony says that someone must protect Daphne. Siena comments that Daphne is lucky, not every woman has someone to protect them, Anthony's response is 'not every woman is a lady'. The point he is making is that Siena is not a lady, he is very much dividing the women in his life.

So moving on to Season 2, as Anthony tells Kate he is a gentleman, and repeats this to her, I believe there is more to this than just him reminding himself that he is a gentleman. It goes further, he is reminding himself Kate is a lady, someone that needs to be protected from men in society. But beyond that, this is the message he is passing on to Kate as well, he is telling her that she is a lady and he, as a gentleman, will protect her.

This comes to fruition in the gazebo scene where during their argument (foreplay?), Anthony says the phrase again, but this time followed with the words 'and you are a lady'. His actions after this exchange show Anthony attempting to 'protect' Kate as he tells her to go inside, he does this at a point where his control appears to be at its lowest. Kate doesn't leave, but as they kiss and Anthony moves back to say he will stop, he is again showing that he is there to protect Kate from unwanted advances, that he, as a gentleman, will protect her, as a lady.

Kate and Anthony Week: Midnight at the Library

 First Posted 9 May 2023 as part of Kate and Anthony Week

Leading into season two much discussion online was around which of the book scenes would be in the show, and one that all fans were keen for was the scene in the library during the storm. In the book this was a scene that forged a connection between Kate and Anthony, so many were disappointed when that scene didn't happen in the show, but should the scene from the book have been transplanted to the show as it was? I think it is mixed, yes and no.

In the book this scene has Kate hiding under a desk almost catatonic from the storm and Anthony calms her down and comforts her, the scene is completely about Kate's vulnerability. Would the book scene have worked for Kate at that point in the show? I don't think so, but I do think we should have seen a variation of it to show Kate's growing vulnerability, as her facade is being cracked bit by bit.

In the library scene in the show we have Kate looking for a book to read to help calm her down during the storm, we learn they unsettle her and her father used to read to her during the storms, and now she reads as it reminds her of him. She says this to Anthony after he finds her in the library, this should have been expanded on, but instead it switched back to Anthony's trauma with Kate asking about his father. During the conversation we see as Kate's understanding of Anthony grows, we see Kate begin to know him, not through dialogue but through the incredible acting of Simone Ashley and her facial expressions.

And this is where I feel the show has let down, not only the viewers, but Kate as a character. During the season, on numerous occasions, we only had the expressions by Kate to tell us of her emotions, it is a rare thing when an actor can tell the viewers how the character is responding emotionally with only a small expression and not dramatic actions or screaming, and this is a skill that Simone Ashley has.

For anyone with a deep seated fear or phobia they learn to cope if they have to, panic attacks are often pushed off in order to deal with what needed to be done, and this is something that Kate would have had to have done for the eight years since her father's death. Kate was the sole caregiver, and as such wouldn't have been able to show weakness or to be able to not be present as she dealt with her fear. Kate would have developed coping strategies over those years to deal with her fear of storms, but the fear and panic will still reside inside, and can be shown via facial expressions, and body language, something we didn't really get that well from the show, but something that I believe Simone would have been able to portray very well if she was able to.

Whilst I do not believe Kate was at the point of being completely broken and vulnerable by episode four, and would not have been almost catatonic under a table, she was slowly becoming more vulnerable. I believe at this point of her emotional journey she would have shown some panic, and vulnerability during the storm - at least more than just flinching at the thunder. In my opinion, it was at this point they could have used the storm for Anthony to have a moment to not only gain more understanding of Kate, but to be able to offer her some small comfort. Just as Kate recognised Anthony's panic attack during the bee sting scene in episode three, and provided him comfort and calmed him, the writers could have had that in this scene in reverse.

Simone would have easily been able to portray Kate's growing panic, and her inner turmoil as she pushed that panic down without a lot of weighty dialogue. The missed opportunity is this, and then the opportunity of Anthony recognising this in her and offering to read to her as her father did. I believe if the show had gone this route it would have satisfied the spirit of that scene in the book without Kate being out of character for the show. As Anthony comforted her in the book by talking about Aubrey Hall, he could have done so in the show, first by reading, and then perhaps by it turning to a conversation about their respective fathers, or just about their fathers, using this as an opportunity for Kate to have learned more about Anthony, but also for Anthony to learn more about Kate. It is this moment that Kate should have been able to begin opening up more, and shown herself as being more vulnerable.

In my opinion this scene in the library, whilst a lovely scene, was a missed opportunity for the show. Not only did they lose the opportunity to show the growing connection between Kate and Anthony, they missed the opportunity to give the viewers more information on Kate and her family, and they missed the opportunity to really show Simone's incredible acting range, from stoic and strong to her being much more vulnerable.