Legal Definitions - ancient demesne

Definition: Ancient demesne refers to a manor that was held by the Crown during the time of William the Conqueror and was recorded in the Domesday Book. Demesne, on the other hand, refers to land held in one's own right, especially land attached to a manor and reserved for the court's own use.

Examples:

• Ancient demesne: A manor that was owned by the Crown during the time of William the Conqueror and was recorded in the Domesday Book.
• Demesne: A piece of land that is owned by someone and is not held through a superior.

The examples illustrate that ancient demesne is a specific type of demesne that refers to a manor owned by the Crown during a specific time period. Demesne, on the other hand, is a broader term that refers to land held in one's own right, regardless of whether it is attached to a manor or not.