tə pɹɪvˈɛnt ðə dᵻvˈɪʒən ʌv fˈæmɪli ᵻstˈeɪts ɐmˌʌŋst mˌʌltɪpəl ˈɛɹz, ɪt wʌz ðˈɛn kˈɑːmən pɹˈæktɪs fɔːɹ jˈʌŋɡɚ sˈʌnz tə ɹᵻmˈeɪn ʌnmˈæɹid.
To prevent the division of family estates amongst multiple heirs, it was then common practice for younger sons to remain unmarried.