Appanage facts for kids
An appanage was a special way kings in France during the Middle Ages gave land to their younger sons. It was like a gift of land and power. This helped keep the peace and stop fights over who would become the next king.
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What is an Appanage?
An appanage was a piece of land given by a king to a son who was not the oldest. The oldest son usually became the next king. Kings used appanages to make sure their younger sons also had land and power. This helped prevent a civil war among brothers.
How did Appanages work?
The younger son who received an appanage would rule it almost like a king. He would often be called a duke or a count. He could collect taxes and make decisions for the people living on his land. However, there was one very important rule: he could not sell the land.
The appanage land was meant to stay in the royal family. The son who received it could pass it down to his own sons and grandsons. But if that family line ever ran out of sons, the land would go back to the king. This way, the land always returned to the main royal family eventually.
Why were Appanages important in France?
Appanages were very important in the history of France. They helped kings manage their large families and keep control of their kingdom. By giving land to younger sons, kings could avoid arguments and possible wars over who should inherit power. It was a way to share power without breaking up the kingdom permanently.
See also
In Spanish: Infantazgo (francés) para niños
