Displaying 1 glossary term in Charter Typology starting with L
Charter Typology
Old English
Lænland (Leasehold Estate)
OE lǣnland < lǣn ('loan, lease') + land ('land')
Land granted on temporary loan or lease—typically for one, two, or three specified lives—reverting automatically to the grantor (usually a cathedral or monastery) upon expiration of the term.
In contrast to perpetual bookland, lænland could not be sold or alienated, and was frequently used by bishops like Oswald of Worcester to secure military and administrative services from local thegns.
“…heora lifdagum threo healf gear, and aefter heora forðsiðe land egefeo to tham halgan mynstre unbecweden…”
S 218 — Mercian Episcopal Leases
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