Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

demesne

Noun

/dɪˈmeɪn/

Definition

A legal term referring to land that is owned and controlled by a lord or an estate.

Examples

The lord maintained a large demesne to support his household and retain authority over his lands.
The estate’s demesne included vast forests and fertile fields.
In the old manor, the demesne was carefully cultivated by the serfs for the benefit of the lord.

Meaning

In a historical context, demesne typically refers to a portion of land that is retained by a lord for his own use, rather than being leased out to tenants. It’s often associated with feudal systems.