XXIII. The lineal succession of the Males only Agnatical suc∣cession.
There is likewise another lineal succession of Males only which is called Agnatical, which differs from the Cognatical, in that it excludes Females, and admits only of Males; which, from the Kingdom of France takes its rise, and is therefore called the French succession. Though the Kingdom of Israel seems to have been thus setled, 2 Chron. 13.5. And the chief reason of this, is to debar Strangers from the Crown, by marrying the Kings Daughters. In both these lineal successions all are admitted that are any wayes allyed, though in degrees never so remote from the last possessor, whilst they can derive themselves from the first King. And in some places where the Agnatical Succession is deficient, recourse is had to the Cognatical. Nay, and this latter is sometimes preferred before the former; as in Aethiopia, where the Kings Sisters Son did alwayes succeed him; which Bede records also of the Picts, where the kindred of the women were preferred to the succession. The like we read of the Indians; So Tacitus of the Germans, That their Kings gave the greatest honour to their Sisters Son, as being nearest in blood to them.