What is curtesy?

Curtesy is a legal term and a form of common law that refers to the life interest that a widower is entitled to receive in the property of his deceased wife. It was formerly a legal right that entitled a widower to use the property that belonged to his deceased wife, or the eldest son's inheritance, until his death or remarriage.

The idea of curtesy can be traced back to medieval times and was based on the concept of protecting the interests of the family. It was intended to ensure that the husband had some financial security after the death of his wife, and that any children from the marriage would have some inheritance.

In modern times, curtesy has largely been replaced by other forms of legal protection for widowers, such as inheritance laws and rights to property. However, some jurisdictions still recognize curtesy as a legal right in certain circumstances.

Overall, curtesy is a legal term that refers to the life interest that a widower is entitled to receive in his deceased wife's property, and has been an important aspect of common law for many centuries.