Research On Widows’ Property Rights In The Southern Song Dynasty

This article mainly explores the property rights of widow groups in the Southern Song Dynasty based on the property dispute cases contained in the book which is the Collection of sensible Court Verdict Made By Famous Officials.The property rights of widows in the Southern Song Dynasty are mainly manifested in five aspects:possession rights,disposal rights,use rights,income and inheritance rights.Possession mainly refers to the widow’s possession of dowry or Inherit the property shared by her husband if the widow is no longer married;the right of disposal is manifested in the testament,transaction,and selection of the widow;The right of use and the right of income are mainly for widows’ dowry and field for the old-man,which also for “Temporary succession instead of son” property when she remarried;The right of inheritance means the inheritance of the widow’s property from her maiden house as a married woman and the husband’s property under certain circumstances.Widows carrying property and remarry to another man were common behaviors at the time,but it can easily cause property disputes.Through case analysis,this article believes that widows remarried can carry dowry,but not carry husband’s family property.If the widow recruits a husband,the situation will be different.Articles on the property rights of widows in the national statute law are relatively rare.Their property rights are mainly adjusted by etiquette and custom,full of flexibility and variables,and are characterized by instability,low legal protection,and possession and use rights.