Why is Galad not King of Cairhein?

[False Dragon1991]

In Andor, its women first regardless of age. But in Cairhein, I guess it should go to the eldest which is clearly Galad from the Damodreds first marriage. So, what gives, how does Elayne have a better claim? Galad isn't a bastard and normally the first marriage has precedence over the second. Its kind of an illogical moment just because its more convenient to make it part of Elaynes story and because Galads story is about something else. So, RJ sort of acts like Cairhein has the same female only rules as Andor?

[Suttree]

It's not illogical and the rules are nothing like Andor(nor does RJ attempt to act like they are the same).

 

The Damodred family lost the throne after Laman. It was Galldrian Riatin that Thom killed which caused the throne to be open. Regardless when Rand defeated the Shaido he wanted Elayne to eventually have the throne. In that country it is more about scheming and politics than inheritance. Keep in mind that back in NS people were plotting to put Moiraine on the throne before her older sisters.

 

Additionally as Lord Captain Commander of the WC's Galad has his hands more than full, it was never even an option really.

[David Selig]

 Because Elayne has the armies, the money and the political support to make good on her claim and her boyfriend who conquered Cairhien chose her.

 

 Besides, in Cairhien it's more about gathering support for your claim than any kind of primogeniture rules. Moiraine for example had 2 older sisters yet she was considered by far the strongest candidate for the Sun Throne out of the three back in New Spring.

[jedman67]

 Because Elayne has the armies, the money and the political support to make good on her claim and her boyfriend who conquered Cairhien chose her.

 

 Besides, in Cairhien it's more about gathering support for your claim than any kind of primogeniture rules. Moiraine for example had 2 older sisters yet she was considered by far the strongest candidate for the Sun Throne out of the three back in New Spring.

Probably because she was Aes Sedai

[threadnecromancer]

Because Galad was not head of House Riatin his claim is behind that of Barthanes and then (the woman who looks like Moraine?) he has a claim which is clearly better than Elayne's (amongst other things he is technically a member of a Chareinan house, which is weird to me as he is the son of the heir to the established dynasty, which you would think would be less willing to tolerate such a change than the mere winner of a war of succession) but Galad lacks the armies to enforce any sort of claim to the Sun Throne.

[BFG]

I think it's partly that he has no desire for power in its own sake and his loyalty has always been elsewhere.  At the beginning of the book his loyalty is to Morgase and Elayne, then later it's to the Whitecloaks.  Someone would need to convince him that he'd be the best choice for the throne, and he's likely to always choose Elayne for that.

[Graendals favourite]

And the Cairhienin houses are not likely to accept a Whitecloak as their ruler, much less the Lord Captain Commander of the Children of the Light. The Cairhienin throne is contested, generally. Whoever is worthy, must prove their worth, and acceptance of the majority of the houses, nobles with rank anyway.

[David Selig]

 Dobraine said "Elayne Trakand or Elayne Damodred, she has as a claim to the throne as any".