Law. Obs. [a. AF. franc mariage: see FRANK a.2 and MARRIAGE.] A tenure in virtue of which a man and his wife held lands granted to them by the father or other near relative of the wife, the estate being heritable to the fourth generation of heirs of their bodies, without any service other than fealty.
c. 1150. Newminster Cartul. (Surtees), 117. Concesserunt eis en fraunkmariage.
c. 1475. The Romans of Partenay, 1504.
| But you wil I gif gentilly, sire, of myne | |
| Thys Rewme with all enheritaunce fyne, | |
| With my fair doughter in franke mariage. |
a. 1647. Habington, Surv. Worcestersh., in Worc. Hist. Soc. Proc., II. 228. Simon his grandfather, who had the same in franck mariage by the guyft of Henry Rolland.
1767. Blackstone, Comm., II. 115. Estates in libero maritagio, or frankmarriage.
1866. Rogers, Agric. & Prices, I. iv. 68. Green holds a small amount of land in frank-marriage, and another portion in fee.
