Demesne

Demesne refers to land that is owned and directly managed by a lord or estate owner, particularly in a feudal system. Traditionally, this land would be farmed for the benefit of the lord, as opposed to land that was leased or worked by tenants who paid rent. The concept signifies the control and use of land for economic purposes, emphasizing the lord's rights over it, which included both agricultural production and governance. Essentially, it highlights the relationship between land ownership and agricultural management during historical periods, especially in medieval Europe.