Cessavit per biennium

An old writ to recover land from a tenant in fee who had ceased to pay rent or service for two years.

In practice. An obsolete writ, which could formerly have bsen sued out when the defendant had for two years ceased or neglected to perform such service or to pay such rent as he was bound to do by his tenure, and had not upon his lands sufficient goods or chattels to be distrained. Fitzh. Nat Brev. 208. It aiso lay where a religious house held lands on condition of performing certain spiritual services which it failed to do. 3 Bl. Comm. 232. Eniig v. Cunningham, 62 Md. 460.

Lat. (He ceased for two years.)

In old English practice. A writ in the nature of a writ of right, founded upon the doctrine of tenure, and formerly a very common remedy. Roscoe Real Actions, 31, 32. 2 Reeves' Hist. Eng. Law, 326. It lay first, upon the statute of Gloucester, (6 Edw. I. c. 4,) which gave it to the lord against the tenant in fee, who ceased for two y Mrs to pay and perform his fee farm rent and services; extended by the statute pf Westminster 2, c. 21, to other rents and services: and secondly, upon the statute of Westminster 2, c. 41, where land was given for a chantry {cantaria,) light, sustenance of poor people, ^c, and the alms were withdrawn for the space of two years. Beg. Grig. 237 b.