10.—The Grants and Alienations of Queen Elizabeth.

Great dilapidations of the crown lands took place in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, who preferred this mode of raising money to making any demand upon her Commons. In the 42nd year of her reign, commissioners were appointed with full I powers to confirm the possession of the crown lands to such as hold them by titles liable to be disputed. In the following year an act was passed ratifying all the grants and alienations made by Elizabeth, since the 25th year of her reign, whether for value received or in consideration of a discharge being granted of any of the crown debts ^w. "It is said, however," adds Sir John Sinclair, "that her grants in general contained this proviso, that in default of issue male they were to revert to the crown. A clause of which the public at this time might probably avail itself" ^x.