DEMESNES Meaning and
Definition
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Demesnes refers to lands or estates that are owned and maintained by a particular individual or entity. Typically, demesnes are associated with feudal systems and are often considered the personal property and exclusive domain of the sovereign, lord, or landowner who owns them.
In a historical context, demesnes were distinguished from lands that were leased or granted to others. These lands were usually cultivated and worked by serfs or peasants who owed various obligations and duties to the landowner. The demesnes, on the other hand, were often reserved for the personal use and benefit of the landowner and their immediate household.
Demesnes were typically characterized by being larger in size and better quality than the surrounding lands that were worked by the common people. They often included manors or castles, and sometimes included forests, orchards, meadows, or other natural resources. The landowner would often exercise exclusive rights over the demesnes, including the privilege of hunting, fishing, collecting tolls or taxes, and dispensing justice.
However, over time, with the decline of feudalism and the rise of more modern systems of landownership, the concept of demesnes has become less significant. Today, the term demesnes is primarily used in historical and legal contexts and may refer to the remnants of feudal estates that may still exist or be referenced in modern land records.
Common Misspellings for DEMESNES
Etymology of DEMESNES
The word "demesnes" has its origins in Old French. It comes from the Old French term "demaine" or "demeine", which derived from the Latin word "dominicus", meaning "belonging to a lord". Over time, the word evolved and was adopted into Old English as "demesne", referring to land or property owned by a lord. It ultimately came to represent the lord's personal estate or territory.
Similar spelling words for DEMESNES
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