[001] for recovering the seisin or quasi-seisin he lost in his lifetime, which the heir, though [002] he is a minor, will recover during his minority by a writ of entry, for just as a minor is [003] bound to answer to such writ of entry while he is under age, afortiori he will be answered [004] in a like case. When one has rights of this kind by gift of the king or another, or by [005] the constitution of the lords of the fee, and having such liberties uses them, he transmits [006] the seisin and use to his heir, and the heir, whether he is of age or a minor, will [007] have the same seisin his ancestor had, [according as his ancestor died in seisin or [008] quasi-seisin,1 [for] in these cases one does not lose [seisin] though he does not at once [009] use, though he can use, until he is disseised, or though he cannot use at once because [010] no opportunity for use arises. It is otherwise2 when it does arise so that he can use, and [011] he then does not use, but another does, or though he wishes to use he is hindered so [012] that he cannot use at all, or not conveniently; he is [then] disseised.] and when he is [013] once in seisin, his estate cannot be changed,3 [because] the estate of an ancestor [014] cannot be changed during the minority of an heir except by action,4 [against] the [015] heir [in] seisin. But if an heir is in seisin he will answer no one while under age. Thus [016] his estate cannot be changed.
If in an assise of mortdancestor or a plea by writ of right it is objected against the minor that he cannot plead because he is a minor, he can reply and say.
[018] When an exception of minority is raised against a minor, that he cannot claim by writ [019] of right or claim his ancestor's seisin against his guardian, he may answer and replicate [020] and say I am of full age and not a minor, which clearly appears, because all my [021] lords of whom I hold except you have restored my inheritance to me and regard me [022] as of full age. Or he may answer that he proved his age before such persons. And since [023] there may sometimes be doubt as to age, we must see how it is proved, because the [024] tenant may answer his replication [thus], that he is not of full age because if his inheritance [025] is restored to him it was by fraud, and that such fraud ought not to prejudice [026] him. If the demandant answers that he is of full age and has proved his age [027] by an inquest and by the country, the tenant may answer that this ought not to harm [028] him because the jurors swore falsely, or the judges were deceived, [that is], if his age [029] was5 proved by inspection. The answer may also be made that he is of full age neither [030] with respect to socage