#in the end the idea i've got is the property is gonna go to alasdair and sigrid's kids

[hetagrammy]

I know you haven’t talked about it in a bit but I’m the regency au will the fact that Arthur’s children can’t inherit ever be a thing that causes resentment from the kids? (Far in the future of course)

Hi, so the biggest reason I haven't talked about it in a while is that uni is kicking my ass lol. That's why I haven't posted art in a hot minute, let alone any writing. When I'm out of paper hell and on break, I'll hopefully be back at it! I actually wanted to draw some of the kids circa the 1820s when they're older for shits and giggles.

So here's the thing about Regency inheritance, his kids do get something! So, the estate itself and the title the Kirklands hold is entailed. An entail means that only the oldest, closest, legitimate male family member can inherit that title and estate. If you've ever read Pride and Prejudice or seen Downton Abbey, this is why Mr. Collins and Matthew Crawley are relevant. This just means that Alfred will not inherit Alwyn's title and the land.

However, money and non-entailed property is a different story. The land that came from Alasdair, Seán, and Molly's father is not entailed, it was simply property Alwyn and Arthur's father took on when Igraine remarried. It was also common in cases where illegitimate children were acknowledged for their father to put aside money in a trust for their children.

In the case of the Regency AU, Arthur and Alwyn have arranged a trust for each of his children (and a dowry for Eleanor that is ultimately never used). When he's older, Alfred cares less about getting a title and more about being trusted with some responsibility. I'm undecided about whether he'd follow Arthur into the military or if he'd seek employment elsewhere (leaning toward the latter as his little "rebellion"). Matthew is a lot more passive, and I think he's content knowing he's not going to be left out to dry. Similarly, Ralph just wants the freedom to be himself. They're both younger sons anyway, so they never had any of the expectations Alfred might've had. Similarly, Eleanor would not have been up to inherit land anyway, as the youngest and as a woman. She at least has the fortune of having a father who isn't keen on forcing her to marry.

Long story short, while I can see Alfred developing some resentment regarding the lack of trust Arthur puts in him, the inheritance isn't necessarily an issue. They're provided for, they just don't get that title or the estate.