Åsetesrett
Encyclopedia
Åsetesrett is the ancient right in Norway
of the eldest child to inherit
the farm
after his or her parent (originally only 50% for female offspring).
When the farmer dies, his eldest child takes possession. The heir is obliged to pay the other siblings their share of the estate (originally only 50% to sisters). Traditionally the value of the estate was given by the father or else is estimated, usually below its actual valuation. Currently, there is an appraisal, but the value is still low. Women could and did own property. Before the 1970s, daughters also inherited, but their share was half that of the sons' shares. If the father left no son, his eldest surviving daughter inherited.
If a farm or estate is of such a size that several families can exist on it, the father is allowed to divide it among his children; however, this is on the condition that the eldest son or daughter will not receive less than one-half of the farm or estate. This prevented the destructive partitioning of agricultural land seen in many other Europe
an countries in the same period. But it had the unfortunate effect of partitioning Norway periodically (since Norway was treated as a King's estate during early periods), making Norway more vulnerable to outside pressures.
These Ancient Norwegian property laws
, which being secured in the constitution still exist, served to preserve a strong Norwegian farm culture
.
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
of the eldest child to inherit
Inheritance
Inheritance is the practice of passing on property, titles, debts, rights and obligations upon the death of an individual. It has long played an important role in human societies...
the farm
Farm
A farm is an area of land, or, for aquaculture, lake, river or sea, including various structures, devoted primarily to the practice of producing and managing food , fibres and, increasingly, fuel. It is the basic production facility in food production. Farms may be owned and operated by a single...
after his or her parent (originally only 50% for female offspring).
When the farmer dies, his eldest child takes possession. The heir is obliged to pay the other siblings their share of the estate (originally only 50% to sisters). Traditionally the value of the estate was given by the father or else is estimated, usually below its actual valuation. Currently, there is an appraisal, but the value is still low. Women could and did own property. Before the 1970s, daughters also inherited, but their share was half that of the sons' shares. If the father left no son, his eldest surviving daughter inherited.
If a farm or estate is of such a size that several families can exist on it, the father is allowed to divide it among his children; however, this is on the condition that the eldest son or daughter will not receive less than one-half of the farm or estate. This prevented the destructive partitioning of agricultural land seen in many other Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an countries in the same period. But it had the unfortunate effect of partitioning Norway periodically (since Norway was treated as a King's estate during early periods), making Norway more vulnerable to outside pressures.
These Ancient Norwegian property laws
Ancient Norwegian property laws
Two Norwegian property laws, which are so ancient that the time of their enactment is lost, govern Norwegian property. These are the Åsetesrett , and the Odelsrett ....
, which being secured in the constitution still exist, served to preserve a strong Norwegian farm culture
Norwegian farm culture
The Norwegian farm culture was a rural movement unique in values and practices which assumed a form in Viking Age Norway, and continued with little change into the age of firearms - and in many respects even to the early 20th century...
.