Salic law

American  

noun

1. a code of laws of the Salian Franks and other Germanic tribes, especially a provision in this code excluding females from the inheritance of land.

2. the alleged fundamental law of the French monarchy by which females were excluded from succession to the crown.

3. any law to the same effect.

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Salic law British  

noun

1. 1. the code of laws of the Salic Franks and other Germanic tribes

   2. a law within this code excluding females from inheritance

2. a law excluding women from succession to the throne in certain countries, such as France and Spain

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Etymology

Origin of Salic law

First recorded in 1540–50

Example Sentences

Sometimes, as in the case of the first text of the Salic law, the system on which they were compiled is not exactly known; but it was generally done under the royal authority.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 8 "France" to "Francis Joseph I." by Various

Moreover, he has no doubt that the Salic law must ultimately prevail everywhere.

From Home Life in Germany by Sidgwick, Alfred, Mrs.

Under the Salic law, restricting succession to the male line, Hanover now became separated from England.

From A History of the Nineteenth Century, Year by Year Volume Two (of Three) by Emerson, Edwin

Uprising in Spain against Ferdinand VII, because he had abolished the Salic law, being without male issue and wishing his wife to succeed him.

From The Scrap Book, Volume 1, No. 3 May 1906 by Various

Establishment of the Salic law excluding females and their descendants from the throne of France.

From The Great Events by Famous Historians, Volume 07 by Johnson, Rossiter