Legal Definitions - law Salique

Definition: The law Salique, also known as Salic Law, is a legal code that originated in the Frankish kingdom during the early Middle Ages. It was used to determine inheritance and succession rights, and it excluded women from inheriting property or ruling the kingdom.

Example: For example, when King Henry V of England died without a male heir in 1422, the English nobility turned to the law Salique to justify the claim of his nephew, Henry VI, to the throne. The law Salique stated that "no woman shall succeed to the kingdom of France," and since England had a long-standing claim to the French throne, the nobles argued that this law applied to them as well.

Explanation: This example illustrates how the law Salique was used to exclude women from inheriting property or ruling the kingdom. It shows how the law was used to justify the claim of a male heir to the throne, even if there were female heirs who were closer in relation to the deceased monarch. This law was used in many European countries for centuries, and it had a significant impact on the role of women in society and politics.