Note 362 — Book IX.
John Beames translation
Purprestura vel Porprestura—“And because, it is properly, when there is a House builded or an Enclosure made of any part of the King’s Demesnes, or of an Highway, or of a common street, or public water, or such like public thing, it is derived of the French pourpris, which signifieth an enclosure.” (Co. Litt. 277. b.) The term purpresture seems to have been understood by our old Lawyers in three senses. 1st. as committed against the King, by a subject. 2d. as committed by a Tenant, against the Lord of whom he held his fee. 3d. as committed by one neighbour, against another. (Vide Craig Jus feud. L. 1. D. 16. c. 10. and L. 3. D. 5. s. 6. 7. Spelm. Gloss. ad voc. Cowell’s Interp. Manwood’s Forest Laws. p. 169. 176. Grand Norm. Cust. c. 10. &c. &c. and Traités sur les Coutumes Anglo-Norm. par Houard. 1. 387.)