Legal Definitions - inclausa

Inclusa is a historical legal term that refers to an enclosed parcel of land situated immediately adjacent to a dwelling house. It denotes a private area directly associated with the home, often demarcated by a fence, wall, or hedge, and typically used for domestic purposes such as a garden, yard, or small paddock.

• Imagine a medieval manor house where the lady of the estate maintained a small, walled garden specifically for medicinal herbs and culinary spices. This garden was located just outside the kitchen entrance, making it easily accessible for daily use. This enclosed, private garden, directly connected to the manor house and serving its household needs, would historically be considered an inclusa.

• Consider a modest 17th-century farmhouse in a rural setting. Directly behind the house, the family had a small plot of land, enclosed by a wooden fence, where they grew vegetables for their own consumption and kept a few chickens. This fenced-off area, being an integral part of the farmstead and immediately adjoining the dwelling, exemplifies an inclusa.