Cadet branch

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In noble families, the title of nobility is usually passed to the firstborn son, although more recently some countries have changed their succession laws, and in these countries the title passes to the eldest offspring regardless of sex.

Historically, other sons were considered threats to the integrity of the title and were encouraged to take clerical orders or join the army. If they did insist on having a family, they were considered a "cadet" branch of the noble family. Daughters of a noble family were compelled to politically advantageous marriages, sent to a convent where they were not in danger of giving birth to competing heirs to the title, or forced into roles as household managers for the reigning family head.