or **MESNE**, a term in law, signifying him who is lord of a manor, and so hath tenants holding of him; yet he himself holds of a superior lord.

The word is properly derived from *mesne*, quasi minor natu; because his tenure is derived from another, from whom he holds.

**MESN** also denotes a writ, which lieth where there is lord mesn and tenant; and the tenant is disfrained for services due from the mesn to the superior lord.

This is in the nature of a writ of right; and in this case the tenant shall have judgement to be acquitted or indemnified by the mesne lord; and if he makes default therein, or does not appear originally to the tenant's writ, he shall be forejudged of his mesnalty, and the tenant shall hold immediately of the lord paramount himself.