Legal Definitions - ius primae noctis

Definition: Ius primae noctis, also known as droit du seigneur, is a historical concept that refers to the supposed right of a feudal lord to have sexual intercourse with a tenant's bride on her wedding night. It was believed that the lord had the power to claim the bride's virginity before her husband.

Example: In medieval Europe, it was believed that the lord of the manor had the right to sleep with any woman who was getting married to one of his tenants. This was seen as a way for the lord to assert his dominance over his subjects and to show that he had power over their lives.

Explanation: The example illustrates how the concept of ius primae noctis was used to justify the lord's power over his subjects. It was a way for the lord to exert his authority and control over the lives of his tenants, and to demonstrate his dominance over them. The idea of ius primae noctis was a source of fear and anxiety for many people, as it represented a violation of their personal autonomy and dignity.