mesnevis

Mesnevis refers to a specific type of historical land tenure in English common law. It describes the situation where a tenant lawfully occupies land, but not directly from the original landlord. Instead, the tenant holds the land from an intermediate tenant, who in turn holds it from the landlord. This creates a chain of tenure. The mesne tenant is the one who holds the land from the landlord, and the tenant holding from the mesne tenant is the subtenant.

This system was common during the feudal era, where land was often granted and regranted, creating layers of obligations and rights. The mesne lord, or mesne tenant, had certain rights and responsibilities towards both the tenant below and the lord above. These could include receiving rent, performing services, and having the right to escheat if the tenant died without heirs. The concept of mesne tenure gradually declined with legal reforms, particularly those that aimed to simplify land ownership and reduce feudal complexities.

Ultimately, the ability to hold land indirectly through a mesne tenant became less significant as property law evolved. While the term "mesnevis" itself might not be widely used in modern legal contexts, understanding the historical concept provides insight into the intricate nature of landholding in the past. It highlights a period where the relationship between landlord and tenant was often mediated by several intermediaries.