CONQUEST, in civil jurisprudence, is the acquisition of property in common by a number of persons.
In some countries they confound acquisition with conquest; but, according to the most general acceptance, acquisition is the gaining of unappropriated goods before the establishment of a community: whereas by the term conquest, is ordinarily intended whatever is acquired by a number of persons in community; or by some one for all the others. As it is more especially in the union of persons by marriage that a community of property takes place; so it is in reference to them that we frequently use the word conquest. There are nevertheless conquests also among other persons who are in a tacit community or society; such as obtain by particular local customs. According to this sense of the word, it has been contended by several, that William I. claimed this kingdom; that
Conquest, Conrad. is, not by right of arms, but by right of conquest or conquest; under promise of succession made by Edward the Confessor, and a contract entered into by Harold to support his pretensions to that succession; and by old writers, conquestus, acquisitus, and perquisitus, are frequently used as synonymous terms.