bastardy

noun

1. (countable, uncountable)The condition of being illegitimate, of being born to an unmarried woman and man or as the fruit of adultery.

   “Go, after, after, cousin Buckingham. The Mayor towards Guildhall hies him in all post:— There, at your meet'st advantage of the time, Infer the bastardy of Edward's children: Tell them how Edward put to death a citizen, Only for saying he would make his son Heir to the crown;—meaning, indeed, his house, Which, by the sign thereof, was termed so.”