Definitions for "Demense"
The central part of a manorial estate set apart for the lord's own use that provided for the needs of his household. For example, such a demense might contain: a manor house and ‘close' of small acreage, a pigeon house, a mill, fishery, wood lots containing trees for logging, arable land up to 500 acres or so, meadows for grazing and pasturelands.
Those parts of the manor which the lord retained for himself.
Another term for land owned by a lord, commonly part of the manor cultivated directly by the lord.