the English Parliament

“ We have provided also, That if any Person, Religious or other, do presume either by Craft or Engine to offend against this Statute, it shall be lawful to us and other chief Lords of the Fee immediate, to enter into the Land so aliened, within a Year from the Time of the Alienation, and to hold it in Fee as an Inheritance. ”

“ Mortmain Act 1279
Who shall take the Forfeiture of Lands given in Mortmain.
WHERE [2] of late it was provided, That Religious Men should not enter into the Fees of any without Licence and Will of the chief Lord, of whom such Fees be holden immediately ”