Legal Definitions - feoffee

A feoffee is a historical legal term referring to a person who received ownership of land. In its most common usage, it described someone who was granted an estate in fee simple, meaning they received full and complete ownership of the land. The term is largely associated with medieval English land law.

A specific historical variation was a feoffee to uses. This was a person who held legal title to land, but not for their own benefit. Instead, they held it for the benefit of a third party, known as a "cestui que use." This arrangement was a precursor to modern trusts, where a trustee holds assets for the benefit of a beneficiary.

• Example 1 (Simple Feoffee):

  In 14th-century England, King Edward III might grant a large tract of land, including a manor and its surrounding villages, to Sir Geoffrey for his loyal service during a military campaign. Sir Geoffrey would then become the owner of this land with full rights.

  Explanation: In this scenario, Sir Geoffrey is the feoffee because he is the recipient of the land estate, gaining full ownership of it directly from the King.

• Example 2 (Feoffee to Uses for Inheritance Planning):

  During the 15th century, a wealthy landowner, Lady Margaret, wished to ensure her estate passed smoothly to her youngest daughter, Eleanor, who was still a minor, and to avoid certain feudal taxes upon her death. Lady Margaret formally conveyed her manor to her trusted friend, Lord Thomas. The understanding was that Lord Thomas would hold the legal title to the manor, but manage it and its income for the benefit of Eleanor until she came of age.

  Explanation: Lord Thomas, in this situation, is the feoffee to uses. He holds the legal ownership of Lady Margaret's manor, but the actual benefit and enjoyment of the land (the "use") belong to Eleanor. This arrangement allowed Lady Margaret to plan her inheritance and bypass certain feudal obligations.

• Example 3 (Feoffee to Uses for Charitable Purposes):

  Imagine a prosperous merchant in 16th-century London, Master William, who wanted to establish a perpetual fund to support the local orphanage. He conveyed several of his income-generating properties to a group of respected church elders and civic leaders. The formal agreement stipulated that these individuals would hold the legal title to the properties and use all rents and profits exclusively for the upkeep and operation of the orphanage.

  Explanation: The church elders and civic leaders are acting as feoffees to uses. They possess the legal ownership of Master William's properties, but their role is to manage these assets and apply them solely for the benefit of the orphanage, which is the true beneficiary of the arrangement.