Legal Definitions - wanlass

Definition: Wanlass (wahn-ləs) is an old type of land tenure where the tenant was required to drive deer to a stand so that the lord could take a shot. It is also spelled as wanlace.

There are no specific examples of wanlass, but it was a common practice in medieval times. For instance, a lord who owned a large estate with a lot of deer would allow a tenant to live on the land in exchange for the tenant's services in driving the deer towards the lord's hunting stand. The lord would then take a shot at the deer, and the tenant would receive some benefits, such as a share of the meat.

This type of land tenure was prevalent in England during the Middle Ages, and it was a way for lords to maintain their hunting grounds while also providing a livelihood for their tenants.

Today, wanlass is no longer practiced, and it is only of historical interest.

Overall, wanlass is an example of how land tenure has evolved over time, and how different societies have used land for various purposes.