In the course of research for my novel I have come across a question that I thought someone here might be able to help with...
When a nobleman had his estates and properties confiscated by the crown after he was executed for treason, for example
1) What happened to the estates? Sometimes you see them restored later to a son or descendent suggesting that they had not been disposed of in the intervening time and 2) how did an heir get them back?
Also on the same issue. If a nobleman had gifted a manor say to one of his children, either in a Will if he knew he was going to be executed, or earlier say as a dowery or wedding gift..would they be confiscated too, even if the technically belonged to the son or son in law or something?
Lastly I very rarely read of noble families becoming destitute due to lands being confiscated..this might suggest they did not loose everything...so how did they support themselves until they could get lands back?
Sorry its a lot of questions in one but they all interlinked I think.
