ALIEN, in Law, a Person born out of the King’s Allegiance, and consequently not capable of inheriting Lands in England, till naturalized by Act of Parliament. See NATURALIZATION.Of these there are two Kinds, viz. Alien-Friends, who are of those Countries which are at peace and league with us; and Enemies, who are of Countries at war with us. A Man born out of the Land, so it be within the Limits of the King’s Obedience beyond the Seas; or of English Parents out of the King’s Obedience, so the Parents at the Time of the Birth be of such Obedience, is no Alien, but a Subject of the King: Stat. 25 Edw. III. commonly called the Statute De natis ultra mare. Add, that if one born out of the King’s Allegiance come and dwell in England; his Children begotten here are not Aliens, but Denizens. See DENIZEN. Alien Priories, were those Cells of Monks, formerly established in England, which belonged to foreign Monasteries. See PRIORY, ABBEY, MONASTERY, etc.
