Legal Definitions - demesne

Definition: Demesne (di-maynor di-meen) refers to land that is held in one's own right, and not through a superior. It can also refer to land attached to a manor and reserved for the court's own use. Additionally, it can mean domain or realm.

Examples:

• Ancient Demesne: This refers to a manor that was held by the Crown at the time of William the Conqueror and was recorded in the Domesday Book.
• Demesne as of Fee: This refers to complete ownership of something.

The examples illustrate how the term "demesne" can be used in different contexts. In the first example, it refers to a specific type of manor that was held by the Crown. In the second example, it refers to complete ownership of something. Both examples show how the term can be used to describe land or property rights.