14 Questions
What were the criteria established by Parliament in 1701 for succession to the British monarchy?
The monarch must not be Catholic, illegitimate, or have a spouse in line for the throne.
What is male primogeniture?
The algorithm of inheritance where the eldest son who wasn't 'naturally dead' would inherit the crown.
What is the order of inheritance for daughters to the British throne?
Daughters were the last choice for the crown, but could inherit the throne if they were the only child or the eldest without competing brothers.
What happens if there are no living heirs to the British crown?
The crown will back up one level on the family tree and apply the rules forward again.
What is the current algorithm of inheritance for the British monarchy?
All royal sons and daughters are viewed with equal favor and the order of their birth determines who inherits the crown.
What is the significance of Catholicism in relation to the British monarchy?
Catholicism disqualifies a person from inheriting the crown.
What is the term used for those who are related to the monarch but cannot inherit due to disqualifications like Catholicism or illegitimacy?
Naturally Dead
What was the algorithm of inheritance for the British monarch prior to 2013?
Male primogeniture
What are the disqualifications for inheriting the British crown?
Catholicism and illegitimacy
What is the role of Royal Consorts?
Spouses of monarchs
What happens if there are no living heirs to the British crown?
The crown will back up one level on the family tree and apply the rules forward again
What was established by Parliament in 1701 regarding the British monarch?
Rules for succession
What change was made to the algorithm of inheritance for the British monarch in 2013?
The male part was struck and all sons and daughters are viewed with equal favor
What is the requirement for the British monarch in relation to the Church of England?
The British monarch is the head of the Church of England and must convert if not already a member
Study Notes
Rules for Becoming the British Monarch
- Historically, the British monarch was determined by who had the biggest army and their eldest son would inherit the crown.
- In 1701, Parliament established rules for succession: the monarch must not be Catholic, illegitimate, or have a spouse in line for the throne.
- Spouses of monarchs are known as Royal Consorts and are not in line for the throne.
- Male primogeniture was the algorithm of inheritance, meaning the eldest son who wasn't "naturally dead" would inherit the crown.
- Daughters were the last choice for the crown, but could inherit the throne if they were the only child or the eldest without competing brothers.
- If there are no living heirs, the crown will back up one level on the family tree and apply the rules forward again.
- The first king of England was over a thousand years ago and most Europeans are distantly related to him.
- In 2013, the rules were updated to strike the male part of the algorithm of inheritance.
- From 2013 on, all royal sons and daughters are viewed with equal favor and the order of their birth determines who inherits the crown.
- Prior to 2013, the male twin in a set of fraternal twins would inherit the crown automatically, but now it's a race to be the first born.
- The British monarch is also the head of the Church of England and must convert if not already a member, but cannot be Catholic.
- Catholicism and illegitimacy disqualify a person from inheriting the crown, resulting in the term "Naturally Dead" for those who are related to the monarch but cannot inherit.
Think you know everything about the British Monarchy? Test your knowledge with our quiz on the Rules for Becoming the British Monarch. From the historical determinants of the crown to the updated succession rules, this quiz covers it all. Challenge yourself to see if you can get a perfect score!
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