Les désastres de la consanguinité au sein des grandes familles royales d’Europe

For centuries, consanguineous marriages were common practice in royal families. Far from being the result of chance, these unions were often politically motivated. By associating members of the same family, dynasties sought to consolidate their territories, strengthen their influence and preserve what they perceived as the purity of their lineage. But these choices came at a cost, and over the generations the damaging effects of inbreeding began to manifest themselves in the form of genetic diseases, physical frailties and mental disorders, weakening some of the most powerful families in Europe. Today, we take a look back at the history of these dynasties, to see how and why incest took hold in the royal courts. We will also try to understand the consequences of this practice on the health and power of those who, despite everything, continued to rule. Why was consanguineous marriage common in Europe?