in Scots Law, signified anciently a small place of strength, originally built for the defence of the country; and which on that account was formerly reckoned inter regalia, and did not go along with the lands upon which it was situated without a special grant from the crown. Now, fortalices are carried by a general grant of the lands; and the word is become synonymous with manor-place, meffluage, &c.

FORTESCUE Sir John, lord chief justice of the King's Bench, and lord high chancellor of England, in the reign of King Henry VI. was descended from the ancient family of Fortescue, in the county of Devon. He studied the municipal laws of England in Lincoln's Inn, of which he was made one of the governors in the fourth and seventh years of the reign of King Henry VI. In 1430 he was called to the degree of a serjeant at law, and in 1441 was constituted the king's serjeant. The following year he was made lord chief justice of the King's Bench; in which honourable station he continued till near the end of that king's reign, who showed him many particular marks of his favour, and advanced him to the post of lord high chancellor of England. During the reign of King Edward IV. he followed the fortunes of the house of Lancaster, and was many years in exile with Queen Margaret and Prince Edward her son. At length, they having a prospect of retrieving their desperate fortunes, the queen and prince returned to England, and Sir John Fortescue, with many others, accompanied them: but soon after the decisive battle of Tewkesbury, he was thrown into prison and attainted, with other Lancastrians; but found means to procure his pardon from Edward IV. He wrote, 1. A learned commentary on the politic laws of England, for the use of Prince Edward; to one edition of which Mr Selden wrote notes. 2. The difference between an absolute and limited monarchy, as it more particularly regards the English constitution (which was published, with some remarks, by John Fortescue, afterwards Lord Fortescue, in 8vo, in 1714; and a second edition was published, with amendments, in 1719): And several works, which still remain in manuscript. He died near 90 years of age; and was buried in the parish church of Ebberton, where a monument was erected to his memory, in 1677, by one of his descendants.