Define: Jus Primae Noctis

During feudal times, there was a supposed custom called Jus primae noctis, or droit du seigneur, which granted lords the right to engage in sexual relations with a tenant’s bride on her wedding night. Additionally, some individuals believed that this custom also mandated the couple to refrain from having sex on their wedding night.

The historical concept of jus primae noctis, also known as droit du seigneur, refers to the alleged right of a feudal lord to engage in sexual relations with a tenant’s bride on her wedding night. This concept suggests that the Lord had the initial claim to the bride’s virginity. For instance, during mediaeval Europe, it was commonly believed that the lord of the manor possessed the authority to sleep with any woman who got married on his land. Consequently, on her wedding night, the bride would be obligated to spend the night with the Lord instead of her husband. This example serves to illustrate how the belief in jus primae noctis operated in mediaeval Europe, highlighting the lord’s ability to take away the bride’s virginity and how this was considered a customary entitlement. Although this practice was not officially documented in any legal code, it was widely accepted during that era.

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This glossary post was last updated: 26th April 2024.