Primogeniture

The process of the eldest male then female member of the monarchy becoming king on the death of the father. This has been practiced in England for almost a thousand years. Primogeniture was not always considered the best option in Saxon England. The king was usually chosen by the Witan. Their consideration would have been the best man for the job. A king would have been chosen who commanded respect and was not necessarily of royal lineage. Harold II for instance, ( if you wish to believe this ) was chosen by Ethelred the Unready on his death bed. He had promised the thrown to duke William of Normandy before changing his mind There are many examples of primogeniture not being practiced in the heptarchy.