Talk:Bran's unidentified concubine/@comment-151.60.6.79-20180812204759/@comment-1082330-20190326024509

This custom was discussed, albeit disparagingly, by Pierre Charron in his 1601 magnum opus De la sagesse, wherein the author continues a tract on the equality of man and wife thus:


 * This, in ſome Places is carry'd a great deal farther, and extends to Life and Death too ; inſomuch, that aſſoon as the Husband is dead, the Wife is oblig'd to follow him without Delay. There are ſome Countries, where the Publick and National Laws require them to do ſo ; and they are oftentimes ſo zealous in their Obedience, that where Polygamy is indulged, if a Man leaves ſeveral Wives behind him, they try for it publickly, and enter up their Claims, which of them ſhall obtain the Honour and Privilege of ſleeping with their Spouse (that is the Expreſſion they ſoften it by) and upon this Occaſion, each urges in her own behalf, that ſhe was the beſt belov'd Wife, or had the laſt Kiſs of him, or brought him Children, or the like, ſo to gain the Preference to themſelves.


 * Th' Ambitious Rivals eagerly purſue

Death, as their Crown to Love and Virtue due ; Prefer their Claims, and glory in Succeſs, Their Lords firſt Nuptuals are courted leſs : Approach his Pile with Pomp, in Triumph burn, And mingle Aſhes in one COmmon Urn.