Legal Definitions - free chase

Definition: A free chase is a franchise granted by the Crown that allows the grantee to keep animals for hunting within a specific district. This franchise is also known as a free chase to differentiate it from a chase royal, which is a chase held by the Crown. In a common chase, everyone is entitled to hunt.

Examples:

• King Henry VIII granted a free chase to Sir John in the district of Kent, allowing him to hunt animals within that area.
• The common chase in the forest of Sherwood allowed anyone to hunt for game.

The examples illustrate how a free chase is a franchise granted by the Crown that allows the grantee to hunt animals within a specific district. In contrast, a common chase is open to everyone for hunting.