Queen chosen to live rather than king so that she can bear an heir to the throne. Serpents alleged to tell by their death which shall die first: male serpent predicts king's death; female, queen's. King has male serpent killed — Mythoi

Motif

Queen chosen to live rather than king so that she can bear an heir to the throne. Serpents alleged to tell by their death which shall die first: male serpent predicts king's death; female, queen's. King has male serpent killed.

Society. · Royalty and nobility. · Kings. · view the constellation · filed as P17.2

Cited in the index

general BP IV 139
general Gesta Romanorum No. 92.

Within the index

Filed under Succession to the throne.

Filed beside it

No sons left to rule after father. Lawmaker's sons slain in rebellion against him Son succeeds father as king Vengeance for destruction of fairy-mound pursues king's descendants First man to arrive after king's death to be heir. (Cf. N683.) Dying king names successor Kingship rotates among brothers Brothers rule jointly Succession by mother-right Succession will fall to line that has been wronged Kingship given to younger brother. (Cf. P17.10.) Natural son succeeds to the throne Three sons each get a kingship, but the youngest the most important in the home country. (Cf. P17.8.) Slayer of king marries widow and inherits kingdom King to be succeeded by whoever can carry his dead body a certain distance What the princes most desire: king asks each of three sons separately. Answers: to study, to make pilgrimages, to build a great kingdom. Last chosen

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