Legal Definitions - de munere regio

De munere regio is a Latin phrase historically used in Scots law to describe land ownership that originated directly from a grant or gift by the monarch. It refers to land held under a feudal system where the ultimate title and authority over the land were derived from the Crown.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Imagine a Scottish king in the 14th century, grateful for a loyal knight's exceptional service in battle, decides to reward him. The king formally grants the knight a substantial estate, including a castle and surrounding farmlands, to hold for himself and his descendants. This land would be considered held de munere regio because its ownership stems directly from the king's personal gift. The knight, in turn, would owe fealty and service to the Crown, illustrating the feudal relationship established by such a royal grant.

• Consider a powerful Scottish clan whose ancestral lands have been in their family for centuries. Historical records might show that the original chieftain of this clan received these territories as a direct grant from a Scottish monarch during a period of consolidation or expansion of royal power. Even generations later, the legal basis for the clan's tenure over these lands would be traced back to this initial "royal gift," meaning they held the land de munere regio, acknowledging the Crown as the ultimate source of their title.

• During the medieval period, a Scottish king might issue a charter to a group of merchants or settlers, granting them a specific tract of land to establish a new royal burgh (a town with special privileges). The land upon which this town was built and developed would be held de munere regio. The town's right to occupy, build upon, and govern this land was a direct consequence of the king's grant, highlighting how royal gifts were instrumental in shaping the economic and administrative landscape of the kingdom under feudal principles.