English

Noun

esnecy ‎(uncountable)

1. (Britain, law, obsolete or historical) A prerogative given to the eldest coparcener (or whomever of the coparceners is so entitled by a court) to choose first after an inheritance is divided.
   • 1862, Collectanea Archæologica: Communications Made to the British Archaeological Association, Volume 1, page 43,

     When, in the fourteenth century, the estates of the Corbets were divided amongst their co-heirs, Caus Castle, being of the esnecy of the elder sister, passed to the Barons Stafford.

   • 1925, William Farrer, Honors and Knights' Fees, page 261,

     In 1224 Walter de Besebroc and Joan his wife, Richard de Dunuar (or Dunnewer) and Agnes his wife were parceners of land in (Little) Newton, Northants., […] Walter and Joan had the esnecy; the inheritance extended into Rushton and Geddington, Northants.

   • 1971, Calendar of the Patent Rolls, Preserved in the Public Record Office: 1258-1266, Great Britain Public Record Office, page 13,

     […] touching the purparty of Maud of the inheritance of William de Brehusa, father of Maud and Eleanor, whose heirs these are; of which inheritance the said Roger and Maud required esnecy, and thereof there was a plea in the said court […] .