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

See Examples For:

Salic law

Since her father abolished the so-called Salic law, which allows only male heirs – she can expect to be the next head of her royal house.

From BBC ● Apr. 9, 2026

If any one shall have killed a free Frank, or a barbarian living under the Salic law, and it shall have been proved on him, he shall be sentenced to 8,000 denarii.

From A Source Book of Medi?val History Documents Illustrative of European Life and Institutions from the German Invasions to the Renaissance by Ogg, Frederic Austin

Salic law, circumstances which led to the confirmation of the, i.

From View of the State of Europe during the Middle Ages, Vol. 3 by Hallam, Henry

Like the rest, the Salic law was fragmentary.

From A Source Book of Medi?val History Documents Illustrative of European Life and Institutions from the German Invasions to the Renaissance by Ogg, Frederic Austin

The people of Schleswig and Holstein prepared to resist the attempt of the King of Denmark to set aside the Salic law.

From The Scrap Book, Volume 1, No. 5 July 1906 by Various