Legal Definitions - droit du seigneur

Term: Droit du seigneur Definition: Droit du seigneur is a historical belief that a feudal lord had the right to have sex with a tenant's bride on her wedding night. It was also believed that the couple had to abstain from sex on their wedding night. This belief was prevalent in medieval Europe. Example: In the movie Braveheart, the character of Edward Longshanks claims the droit du seigneur over the bride of William Wallace's friend. This example illustrates how the feudal lords used their power to exploit the common people. Example: In the book The Canterbury Tales, the Wife of Bath tells a story about a knight who rapes a young woman. The knight is given a chance to save his life by answering the question of what women want the most. The answer is that women want sovereignty over their husbands. This example shows how the droit du seigneur was seen as a violation of women's rights. Overall, the droit du seigneur was a belief that allowed the feudal lords to exercise their power over the common people. It was a violation of human rights and dignity.