Legal Definitions - writ of escheat

Definition: A writ that allows a lord to take possession of lands that have escheated to him.

Example: In medieval times, if a tenant died without an heir or if the tenant committed a felony, the land would escheat to the lord. The lord could then use a writ of escheat to take possession of the land.

This example illustrates how a writ of escheat was used in medieval times to allow a lord to take possession of land that had escheated to him. The writ was a legal tool that helped lords maintain control over their lands.