When a noble woman marries a man not noble, she ceases to be noble, unless her nobility was born with her.

Explanation

Under the common law, a woman’s legal status was altered by marriage — this maxim has been superseded by constitutional amendments recognizing the inherent equality of all persons before the law. The Fourteenth Amendment did not create equality; it recognized and secured what already existed in natural law.

Where this applies

• A woman's legal status changes upon marriage under historical common law.
• Historical legal rules about status changes through marriage.