Entailment of an estate features predominantly in two of Jane Austen's novels - Pride and Prejudice, and Sense and Sensibility. Entailment was a system of inheritance that limited the inheritance to specific heirs. The purpose of this was to keep the land and estate in the family, through male heirs. This was called primogeniture.

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In Pride and Prejudice, the entailment of Mr Bennet's estate goes to his nearest male relation, Mr Collins, as he has not fathered any sons. Whereas in Sense and Sensibility, Norland Park is inherited by Mr John Dashwood as the only male child.  

A man's estate was part of his status and rank, and provided him with influence in the area. Originally primogeniture was created in Norman times and meant that the estate would remain intact and be able to raise a military force at the command of the King. However, in Jane Austen's day the King had other means of raising a military force so it was more about status.

 
Entailment had advantages to a family in that the estate did not have to be broken up and sold or divided amongst siblings and so remained in the family. An heir could also not sell the estate to cover any debts either. However, this inheritance meant that younger siblings and/or relatives had to make their own way in the world, like the Miss Dashwoods in Sense and Sensibility.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As employment was limited for women in Jane Austen's day, especially for the gentry, you can see why Mrs Bennet was so desperate to get all of her daughters married. Cousins were permitted to marry though, and as we see in Persuasion Elizabeth Elliot hopes to marry William Walter Elliot Esq as he is her father's heir.