Middle English Dictionary Entry
morte-main n.
Entry Info
| Forms | morte-main n. Also mortmaine. |
| Etymology | OF |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. main-mort.
1.
Law Inalienable tenure of property.
Associated quotations
- [ (1279) Statutes Realm1.51 : Providimus..quod nullus Religiosus aut alius quicumque, terras..emere vel vendere..præsumat..per quod ad manum mortuam terre..hujusmodi deveniant quoquo modo. ]
- [ (1344) Statutes Realm1.302 : Si Prelatz, clers beneficez, ou gentz de Religion qount purchacez terres & les ount mys a mort meyn, soient empeschez ou aresonez. ]
- (1464) RParl.5.518b : Licence..to yeve into Mortmayne any Landes, Tenementes, Rentes, or Advousons of Chirches.
- (1473) RParl.6.74b : To yeve in mortemayn any Londes, Tenementes, Rentes, or Advousons of Chirches or to receyve and hold in mortemayn any Londes, Tenementes, Rentes or Advousons of Chirches.
- a1475 Godstow Reg.(Rwl B.408)148/27 : Þe publyschyng of vs I-maade of londys and tenementes not to be put to mortemayne & of the entryng of them with-owte owre licence & lefe.
- a1475 Godstow Reg.(Rwl B.408)446/3 : Hit shold not be lawfull to Religious peple to entre the fee of ony or of other, so that hit shold come into morte-mayne, without his licence and of the chief lord of the which hit was I-hold inmediatly.