Legal Definitions - chase

Chase (Historical Legal Term)

In historical English law, a chase referred to a special legal right, or "franchise," granted by the monarch (the Crown) to an individual or entity. This grant empowered the recipient (the "grantee") to establish and manage a designated area of land specifically for hunting. Within this district, the grantee had the authority to keep and hunt wild animals, often referred to as "game," which were the designated objects of the chase. Essentially, it was a private hunting ground established by royal permission, distinct from a royal forest but still under the grantee's exclusive control for hunting purposes.

• Example 1: A Noble's Reward

  Imagine a powerful medieval lord, Sir Alaric, who distinguished himself in service to the King. As a reward, the King might grant Sir Alaric a "chase" over a large tract of woodland adjacent to his estate. This legal grant would give Sir Alaric the exclusive right to manage this woodland for hunting deer, wild boar, and other game, preventing others from hunting there without his specific permission. This illustrates a "chase" as a royal grant to an individual, establishing a private hunting area under their control.

• Example 2: Institutional Sustenance

  Consider a medieval monastery, known for its agricultural innovations and its support of the local community. To provide sustenance for the monks and to generate some income, the King could grant the abbey a "chase" over a nearby forest. This would legally entitle the monastery to maintain and hunt game within that specific forest, ensuring a steady supply of meat and potentially allowing them to sell hunting rights or game to others. This shows a "chase" granted to an institution, highlighting its use for sustenance and economic benefit, still under the exclusive right of the grantee.

• Example 3: Designated Hunting Grounds

  During the reign of King Henry VIII, a particular valley known for its abundant pheasant population was officially designated as a "chase" and granted to the Earl of Northumberland. This legal designation meant that the Earl, and not the general public or other local landowners, held the exclusive right to hunt and manage the game within that valley, even if parts of it were not directly owned by him but fell within the boundaries of the granted chase. This emphasizes the geographical aspect and the exclusivity of the hunting rights, even over areas not necessarily owned outright by the grantee, but designated by the Crown.