A feu charter is the document constituting a new feu. It would include reference to the feu duty to be paid annually.
Sasine is the act of giving possession of a feudal property. Until 1845 it involved the handing over of earth and stones on the property itself.
A feu charter would be drawn up. Then a precept of sasine would be drawn up - the mandate by which the superior authorised his agent to give possession. The person receiving the property would take the precept of sasine to the property along with the agent or bailie, a notary public and witnesses. The notary would read out the precept (translating any Latin into English), the bailie would give possession on behalf of the superior by handing over earth and stones, then the person receiving the property would ask the notary to record the transfer in a deed called an instrument of sasine. The instrument was then registered in the Register of Sasines for the county or burgh. The tenor of the precept of sasine is written into the instrument of sasine.
If the person receiving the property could not attend, he might send an agent or bailie to act for him too.
