escheat

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escheat was the forfeiture of estates to the crown, or to the lord of the manor, when the owner or tenant died without heirs. It also applied to persons attainted, whose property passed to the crown. It was at times an important source of income, though estates were sometimes granted back to the attainted person's descendants. In Scotland escheat for debt was abolished in 1737. Escheat for felony was abolished in 1870.

J. A. Cannon

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