She Inherits Too: The British System of Peerage Inheritance and Daughters
For centuries, the British system of peerage has been at the forefront of the country's politics and society. But it is not only men who have had the privilege of inheriting these titles; women can now inherit peerages too. In this article, we will explore the history of peerage inheritance and the role of daughters in this esteemed system.
A Brief History of Peerage Inheritance
The titles of nobility in Britain are bestowed upon individuals by the monarch and have been in existence since the Middle Ages. Initially, the titles were granted to deserving individuals in recognition of their loyalty and service to the Crown. Inheritance of titles was initially tied to primogeniture, where the eldest son of the peer would inherit the title and the estate. This system was intended to keep the title intact, and therefore more powerful, by preventing it from being divided among multiple heirs.
However, as time passed, the system began to shift. In the early 20th century, the British Parliament passed the Peerage Act of 1963, which ended the tradition of male-only inheritance of titles. This meant that women could inherit peerages, with the eldest daughter inheriting her father's title and estate if he had no sons. Later, in 2013, a change in the succession laws meant that the eldest child, regardless of gender, could inherit the throne. This change has been hailed as a huge step forward for gender equality in the UK.
The Role of Daughters in the Peerage System Today
Since the passing of the Peerage Act, there have been several prominent women who have inherited peerages, including the Countess of Iveagh, the Baroness Scotland of Asthal, and the Baroness Hale of Richmond, who was the first female president of the UK Supreme Court. There are currently 25 women who sit in the House of Lords, and while this is still only 9% of the total, it is a significant improvement from the past.
However, it isn't just about the number of women in the peerage system. It's also about the fight for equal rights within the system, including the right to vote in the House of Lords. Currently, only 92 hereditary peers have the right to vote in the House of Lords, and none of them are women. The peerage system still has a long way to go in terms of achieving true gender equality.
Conclusion
The British system of peerage has come a long way in terms of being more inclusive towards women. However, there is still work to be done in order to ensure true gender equality within the system. Women have been an important part of British society for centuries, and it is only natural that they should be able to inherit titles and participate fully in the peerage system. Hopefully, in the years to come, we will see even more progress in this area.
