Etymology
The word "bastardy" originates from the Late Latin word "bastardia," meaning "illegitimacy." It is derived from the Latin word "bastus," meaning "pack saddle," which was used metaphorically to refer to illegitimate children as being "born on the wrong side of the blanket."
Meaning
Bastardy refers to the legal status of a person who is born out of wedlock or whose parents are not legally married at the time of their birth. It carries a negative connotation and implies that the child is illegitimate and has certain legal disabilities, such as limited inheritance rights and social stigma.
Origin
The concept of bastardy has existed throughout history in various cultures and legal systems. In ancient Rome, illegitimate children were considered to be of a lower social status and had limited legal rights. In medieval Europe, bastardy was often associated with shame and disgrace, and illegitimate children were often subject to discrimination and abuse.
In the 19th century, with the rise of industrialization and urbanization, the social stigma attached to bastardy became less pronounced. However, legal distinctions between legitimate and illegitimate children persisted in many countries.
In the 20th century, there was a growing movement for the legal recognition and protection of the rights of illegitimate children. In many jurisdictions, laws were reformed to remove or reduce the legal disabilities associated with bastardy, and illegitimate children were granted equal rights to inherit, seek education, and participate fully in society.
Etymology The word bastard originates from the Middle English bastard which itself
