μῦθοι Mythoi
Motif

Succession by mother-right.

Society. · Royalty and nobility. · Kings. · view the constellation · filed as P17.6

In our texts — keyword-matched, unreviewed
Filed across the traditions
  • Irish myth Cross.
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.) 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 Dying king names successor Kingship rotates among brothers Brothers rule jointly 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

ask the rhapsode about this motif · search the shelf for “mother-right” · wander