Legal Definitions - morsellum terrae

Morsellum terrae is a historical legal term that translates from Law Latin as "a morsel of earth." It refers to a very small, often insignificant, piece or parcel of land.

This term was typically used in older legal documents, such as deeds, wills, or property records, to describe a plot of land that was notably small in comparison to larger estates or holdings. While not commonly used in modern legal practice, understanding its historical context helps in interpreting ancient property descriptions.

Here are some examples illustrating the historical application of morsellum terrae:

• Imagine a medieval will from the 14th century where a wealthy landowner, Sir Reginald, divides his vast estate among his children. To his youngest son, who is entering the clergy and requires little worldly possession, Sir Reginald bequeaths "a morsellum terrae adjacent to the village chapel, suitable for a small herb garden."

  This example illustrates morsellum terrae as a specific, very small piece of land given as an inheritance, highlighting its diminutive size in the context of a larger estate division.

• Consider a historical land dispute in 17th-century England between two neighboring farmers, Thomas and John. Their properties were separated by a stone wall, but over generations, the wall had shifted slightly. A legal document from the time might describe the contested area as "a morsellum terrae, being a narrow strip of pasture, approximately two rods in length and half a rod in width, claimed by both parties due to the uncertain boundary."

  Here, morsellum terrae refers to the small, disputed strip of land, emphasizing its minor size yet its significance in a boundary conflict between property owners.