Quote:
Originally Posted by ak_aramis
Only in a relatively high-tech society. Without X-rays (or equivalent magic), the other changes are not readily apparent.
|
But the point I raised was that if the only ones entitled to noble rank were children of the monarch one can prove that most easily by counting it matrilineally. Anyone can say a given prince is a bastard unless they actually had someone watching the mother from conception to birth continually which would be an undertaking the Staasi would consider to fanatical. Saying it came from a different mother is a bit difficult and there are only a few examples (such as the Dimitri's) of someone trying it.
On the other hand, the only way to get that many children is to have a female harem as no women is strong enough to dependably have enough (that gives the Seven "Labors" of Hercules a double meaning). That means there will have to be a king at the center who will naturally be jealous of his own rights in the matter.