Under the feudal system of the Chou strict primogeniture among the nobility existed: the fief went to the oldest son by the main wife.

Charles's attempt to reintroduce primogeniture by declaring the French principle of the equal division of property to be inconsistent with the principle of monarchy had irritated the people less than the encouragement he had given to monastic corporations which were contrary to law.

"To begin with, I have the rights of primogeniture in my favor," he said.