Borough English

A custom prevalent in some parts of England, by which the younger son inherits the estate in preference to his older brothers. 1 Bl. Comm. 75. ' The custom is said by Blacktone to have been derived from the Saxons, and to have been so called in distinction from the Norman rule of descent. 2 Bl. Comm. 83. A reason for the custom is found in the fact that the elder children were usually provided for during the life of the parent as they grew up, and removed, while the younger son usually remained. See, also, Bac. Abr.; Comyn. Dig.; Termes de la Ley; Cowell. The custom applies to socage lands. 2 Bl. Comm. 83.

A custom prevalent in some parts of England, by which the youngest son iuberits the estate in preference to bis older brothers. 1 Bl. Comm. 75.

Defined under Borough in Black's Law Dictionary.

A custom prevalent in some parts of England, by which the youngest son inherits the estate in preference to his older brothers. 1 Bl. Comm. 75.

A custom some old English boroughs to the youngest son, instead Borsholder: Head-borow, the

Borow English, Burgh English. [Sax. borhoe englise.] A particular custom prevailing in certain ancient English boroughs and copyhold manors, by which land descended to the youngest son instead of the eldest, or, if the owner had no issue, to his youngest brother. Glanv. lib. 7, c. 3. Litt. sect. 165, 735. Spelman, voc. Borow-English. Termes de la ley. Kitchin, 102, cited ibid. Cro. Jac. 198. 2 Bl. Com. 83. 1 Id. 75. 1 Crabb's Real Prop. 593, § 749. It was so called because, as some hold, it was an English custom, as distinguished from those introduced by the Normans. 2 Bl. Com. 83. The reason given by Littleton for this custom is, because the youngest son, by reason of his tender age, is not so capable as the rest of his brethren to help himself. Litt. sect. 211. For other reasons, see 2 Bl. Com. ub. supra. The custom of borough-English still prevails in several cities, and ancient boroughs, and districts of smaller or larger extent, adjoining to them in different parts of the kingdom. The land is held in socage, but according to the custom it descends to the youngest son, in exclusion of all the other children of the person dying seised. In some places, this peculiar rule of descent is confined to the case of children; in others, the custom extends to brothers and other male collaterals. Third Real Property Report, p. 8, cited in 1 Steph. Com. 199, note.

Eng. law. This, as the name imports, rclates exclusively to the English law. Itis a custom in many ancient boroughs by which the youngest son succeeds to the burgage tenement on the death of the father. 2 BI. Com. 83; in some parts of France, there was a custom by which the youngest son was entitled to an advantage over the other children in the estate of their father, Mert. Rép. mot Maineté.