History of Sussex - Borough English in Sussex

Borough English in Sussex

Borough-English was the custom that lands should descend to the youngest son or daughter, or, in default of issue, to the youngest brother of the deceased. The name originated from a case in Nottingham in 1327 when the English borough, or part of the town, held to ultimogeniture, the French (Norman) part to primogeniture. In Sussex, inheritance by Borough-English, could still be found on 134 manors after 1750.

Gavelkind was the practice of partible or equal inheritance, as opposed to primogeniture. It was predominant in Kent but was also found, across the county border, in Sussex. It existed in Rye, in the large manor of Brede, and in Coustard manor (in Brede parish).

Borough-English and gavelkind were finally abolished in England and Wales by the Administration of Estates Act 1925