Bastard in English and Welsh law

Bastard in English and Welsh law refers to an illegitimate child, born to parents who were not married at the time of their birth. Historically, bastards had limited legal rights and could not inherit from their parents.12

In Medieval Wales, however, all children, regardless of legitimacy, had equal inheritance rights if acknowledged by their father. This distinction was later referred to in literary works like the "Brother Cadfael" series.13