The state of being a bastard; illegitimacy.

The procreation of a bastard child.

from the 16th century onwards in England and Wales, the status of a child born to parents who were not married to each other had particular legal and social consequences. These consequences led to the creation of documents which exist today as archives. For example, a bastardy bond or recognisance could oblige the supposed father to appear at the Quarter Sessions or Petty Sessions court, or simply oblige him or another relation to provide for the child so that she or he was not supported by the parish authorities. A bastardy or affiliation order could be made by a Quarter Sessions or Petty Sessions court, requiring the father to pay for the child's upkeep - failure to pay could result in a prison sentence.