escheat

1) A legal term, used when property reverted to the Crown or to the lord of the manor, either because of a felony or the lack of an heir.

Examples occur in Latin documents at regular intervals from the thirteenth century and English references include: 1561 too other tenements ... are by atteindre of felonie ... escheated unto the quenes majestie, Marsden

1777 if any bastard, having purchased lands within this Mannor, be dead without issue of his body lawfully begotten ... the Lords and Ladies shall have his lands by escheat, Oxenhope.

places Marsden Oxenhope
dates 1200-1300 1561 1777

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