Final answer:
The principle called primogeniture stipulated that the eldest son would inherit all his nobleman father's lands, maintaining the family's generational wealth and status.
Step-by-step explanation:
The principle that stipulated that a nobleman's eldest son would inherit his lands is known as primogeniture. This law stated that all property would be inherited by the firstborn son, ensuring that the family's wealth and status were maintained from generation to generation. Women could not inherit property under this principle, and primogeniture was widely practiced within British and European aristocracies during the Middle Ages. In contrast, societies such as those in Spain and France were more likely to divide property among all children.
The practice of primogeniture played a significant role in the social hierarchies of medieval Europe and influenced the political dynamics of the period. It often led to younger sons of the nobility seeking their fortunes elsewhere, as they were not entitled to an inheritance. This in part encouraged exploration and colonization, particularly by the British, contributing to the expansion of empires.