Legal Definitions - demesne land

Definition: Demesne land refers to land that is reserved by a lord for personal use. In modern times, it is used to refer to land belonging to the sovereign or government, as distinguished from land held under private ownership.

Examples:

• In medieval times, demesne land was reserved by lords for their own use, such as for hunting or farming.
• In England and Canada, Crown land refers to demesne land of the Crown, which is land belonging to the sovereign personally or to the government.
• In modern times, demesne land can refer to land owned by the government, such as public parks or military bases.

Explanation: Demesne land is a term that has evolved over time, but it generally refers to land that is reserved for a specific purpose. In medieval times, lords would reserve land for their own use, while in modern times, governments may reserve land for public use or military purposes. The examples illustrate how the term has been used throughout history and how it is still relevant today.