The Romans’ institutions placed women in perpetual tutelage unless they were under a husband’s authority. [1] This tutelage was assigned to the closest relative through the males, and it appears from a popular expression [2] that they were closely watched. That was good for the republic, and was not necessary in a monarchy. [3]

It appears from various codes of barbarian laws that women among the early Germans were also in perpetual tutelage. [4] This custom passed into the monarchies they founded, but did not survive.