Outrande

Outrande refers to a historical legal concept and practice primarily associated with medieval and early modern England, particularly concerning the rights of landowners and their tenants. The term derives from the Old French *hors rand*, meaning "outside the fence" or "beyond the boundary," reflecting its origins in the demarcation of property boundaries and the rights associated with them.

In feudal England, outrande was a form of customary right that allowed a tenant to graze livestock on common land beyond the immediate boundaries of their own property, provided they did not interfere with the rights of other landowners. This practice was common in rural areas where arable land was limited, and common grazing was a vital resource for sustaining livestock. The right was often tied to specific manors or villages and was regulated by local customs rather than formal legal statutes.

Outrande was distinct from other forms of common land use, such as common of pasture or common of pannage, as it typically applied to areas outside the immediate vicinity of a tenant’s holding. The practice was subject to disputes, particularly as agricultural practices evolved and land use became more regulated. By the late medieval period, outrande was increasingly codified into legal frameworks, though it remained a contentious issue as enclosure movements gained momentum in the 16th and 17th centuries.

The decline of outrande paralleled the broader trend of enclosure, where common lands were fenced off and privatized, often leading to conflicts between landowners and former commoners. While outrande itself was largely obsolete by the 19th century, its historical significance lies in its role in shaping medieval land tenure, rural economies, and the evolution of property rights in England. The concept also appears in legal and historical discussions as an example of customary law and the complexities of feudal land management.