Legal Definitions - bastardy

Definition: Bastardy refers to the status of being born out of wedlock or being illegitimate.

Example: John was born to unmarried parents, and therefore, he was considered a bastard.

Explanation: The example illustrates how the term bastardy is used to describe a person's illegitimate birth. In this case, John's parents were not married, and he was born out of wedlock, which made him a bastard.

Additional Example: In medieval times, children born out of wedlock were often stigmatized and faced discrimination in society.

Explanation: This example shows how the concept of bastardy has been prevalent throughout history and how it has affected the lives of people born out of wedlock. In medieval times, children born to unmarried parents were often considered inferior and faced social and economic disadvantages.