The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 14
Droits of Crown
Droits of Crown.
Blackstone enumerates amongst these the rights to Royal Fish (i.e. whales and sturgeons); the right to unclaimed shipwreck, (not including jetsam and flotsam); the Royalty of Mines—which, having its origin in the coinage prerogative, is only applicable to mines of silver and gold. Waifs and Strays (i.e. goods stolen and abandoned, or animals wandering unclaimed); Deodands, or whatever chattel immediately occasions the death of any reasonable creature, to be applied to pious uses—Deo dandum—and Escheats of lands on failures of heirs. There may also be recounted Forfeitures for Treason.