I expect that many will reply on this one. This is what I understand to be the case. It was the custom and generally accepted that an estate would be divided into three - a third for the widow, a third for the children and a third for the dead. This may sound odd but it means that the children would share a third of the estate, the wife would have a third and the testator had a third which he could leave as he chose. There would usually be a qualification on the wife's legacy that she would have this for life or until remarriage. She could not will her part of the estate as she pleased and neither could she sell it. If she remarried, then the goods would revert to the estate and the right heir. An overall heir would be named and he (usually the eldest son or eldest male relative if no son - this practice called male primo geniture) would eventually get everything left to his mother. I think that, whatever the agreement between the wife and her husband, she was entitled to a certain share of the goods, her clothes and enough to keep her in the fashion to which she had become accustomed. This custom and the widow's third was known as the dower. This is the reason that, in large estates, a house may set aside for the dowager while the heir enjoys the main residence, this house being known as the dower house. The dowry is a different thing as far as I am aware and was part of the marriage settlement where a jointure was paid to the prospective husband that may be kept for use by his wife both during marriage and may be part of the dower in her widowhood. Please, someone, put me right if the above is not the case. Audrey ----- Original Message ----- From: "Keith Griffiths" <kgriffiths5000@btinternet.com> To: <OLD-ENGLISH-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, October 18, 2004 6:30 PM Subject: [OEL] Dower Rights; Title of Dower and Thirds > This query came up on another list but there has been no response. I wonder > whether our list might care to comment. > > Regards > Keith Griffiths > > ----- Original Message ----- > I've recently come across a will with the following written: > > Item I give and bequeath unto Ann my wife my clock during the term of her > natural life I also give her the sum of twenty shillings of lawful money of > Great Britain in full purpose and to the intent utterly to debar her of > Dower right or and Title of Dower and to exclude her of and from all manner > of right or title claim or demand to any moveable goods of chattels of mine > which some call Thirds or any other right or title to any house or land of > or belonging to me otherwise than was agreed upon and specified in a > Londor?[I couldn't make out this word] Articles made between us before > marriage and instead of her Thirds > > Could anyone please explain to me what Dower right or Title of Dower and > Thirds are? > > > --- > Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. > Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). > Version: 6.0.778 / Virus Database: 525 - Release Date: 15/10/2004 > > > ==== OLD-ENGLISH Mailing List ==== > OLD-ENGLISH Web Page > http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~oel/ > >