Legal Definitions - praerogativa regis

Praerogativa Regis: A declaration made during the reign of Edward I (1272-1307) that defined certain feudal and political rights of the Crown. It included the right to wardship of an idiot's lands to protect the idiot's heirs from disinheritance or alienation.

According to the Praerogativa Regis, the king had the right to take control of the lands of a person who was deemed an "idiot" (a legal term for someone who was mentally incapable) to protect their heirs from losing their inheritance. The king was responsible for ensuring that the idiot and their family were properly cared for, and any leftover income from the estate was to be administered for the good of the idiot's soul.

This example illustrates how the Praerogativa Regis gave the Crown the power to protect the interests of vulnerable individuals who were unable to manage their own affairs. It also shows how the Crown had a responsibility to ensure that the idiot and their family were not left destitute, and that any leftover income was used for charitable purposes.