Tenure
A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States · John Bouvier · 1839
A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States
estates, is the manner in which lands or tenements are holden. According to the English law, all lands are held mediately or immediately from the king, as lord paramount and supreme proprietor of all the lands in the kingdom.
Co. Litt. 1 b, 65 a; 2 Bl. Com. 105.
The idea of tenure pervades, to a considerable degree, the law of real property in the several states; the title to land is essentially allodial, _ and every tenant in fee simple has an absolute‘and perfect title, yet, in technical language, his estate is called an estate in fee simple, and the tenure free and common socage.
3 Kent, Com. 289, 290. Vide Wright on Tenures; Bro. h. t.; Treatise of Feuds and Tenures by Knight’s service; 20 Vin. Ab. 201; Com. Dig. h.t.; 6 Bac. Ab. 484; Thom. Co. Litt. Index, h. t.; Sulliv.
Lect. Index, h. t.