Legal Definitions - non plevin

Non plevin is a historical legal term that describes the failure of a landowner to promptly reclaim their land after it had been seized by the Crown (the government or monarch) due to the landowner's failure to fulfill a legal obligation.

In essence, if a person defaulted on a duty owed to the monarch—such as paying taxes, performing a service, or adhering to a condition of a land grant—and their land was consequently taken by royal authority, "non plevin" referred to their inaction in attempting to recover that land within the legally prescribed timeframe.

• Example 1: Failure to pay feudal dues

  Imagine a medieval baron who held a large estate from the King, contingent upon providing a certain number of knights for royal military service each year. If the baron failed to provide these knights for several years, the King's agents might seize a portion of his estate as a penalty. If the baron then did not initiate legal proceedings or make an effort to pay the arrears and recover his land within the period allowed by law, his inaction would be considered non plevin.

  This illustrates the term because the baron (landowner) defaulted on an obligation (feudal service), the King (Crown) took the land, and the baron failed to timely "replevy" (reclaim) it.

• Example 2: Unpaid royal taxes

  Consider a wealthy merchant in the 15th century who owned several valuable plots of land in a bustling town. He falls significantly behind on his annual taxes owed directly to the royal treasury. As a result, the Crown, through its local sheriff, takes possession of one of his prime commercial properties. If the merchant, perhaps due to a prolonged absence or financial distress, does not challenge this seizure or attempt to settle his tax debt and reclaim his property within the legal window, his failure to act would constitute non plevin.

  Here, the merchant (landowner) defaulted on an obligation (unpaid taxes), the Crown seized his land, and his failure to timely recover it demonstrates non plevin.

• Example 3: Breach of a royal grant condition

  Suppose a knight was granted a strategic parcel of land by the King on the specific condition that he maintain a fortified tower and a small garrison of soldiers to guard a vital trade route. Over time, the knight neglects this duty, allowing the tower to fall into disrepair and disbanding the garrison. The King, upon learning of this breach, revokes the grant and sends his officials to repossess the land and tower. If the knight, acknowledging his failure or lacking the means to mount a legal challenge, does not attempt to "replevy" the land within the stipulated time, his inaction would be an instance of non plevin.

  This example shows the knight (landowner) defaulting on a condition of a royal grant, the King (Crown) taking the land, and the knight's failure to timely reclaim it as non plevin.