ESTREPEMENT. The name of a writ which lay at common law to prevent a party 
in possession from committing waste on an estate, the title to which is 
disputed, after judgment obtained in any real action, and before possession 
was delivered by the sheriff. 
     2. But as waste might be committed in some cases, pending the suit, the 
statute of Gloucester gave another writ of estrepement pendente placito, 
commanding the sheriff firmly to inhibit the tenant "ne faciat vastum vel 
strepementum pendente placito dicto indiscusso." By virtue of either of 
these writs, the sheriff may resist those who commit waste or offer to do 
so; and he may use sufficient force for the purpose. 3 Bl. Com. 225, 226. 
     3. This writ is sometimes directed to the sheriff and the party in 
possession of the lands, in order to make him amenable to the court as for a 
contempt in case of his disobedience to the injunction of the writ. At 
common law the process proper to bring the tenant into court is a venire 
facias, and thereon an attachment. Upon the defendant's coming in, the 
plaintiff declares against him. The defendant usually pleads "that he has 
done no waste contrary to the prohibition of the writ." The issue on this 
plea is tried by a jury, and in case they find against the defendant, they 
assess damages which the plaintiff recovers. But as this verdict convicts 
the defendant of a contempt, the court proceed against him for that cause as 
in other cases. 2 Co. Inst. 329; Rast. Ent. 317; Brev. Judic. 88; More's 
Rep. 100; 1 Bos. & Pull. 121; 2 Lilly's Reg. tit. Estrepement; 5 Rep. 119; 
Reg. Brev. 76, 77. 
     4. In Pennsylvania, by legislative enactment, the remedy by estrepement 
is extended for the benefit of any owner of lands leased for years or at 
will, at any time during the continuance or after the expiration of such 
demise, and due notice given to the tenant to leave the same, agreeably to 
law, or for any purchaser at sheriff or coroner's sale of lands. &c., after 
he has been declared the highest bidder by the sheriff or coroner; or for 
any mortgagee or judgment creditor, after the lands bound by such judgment 
or mortgage, shall have been condemned by inquisition, or which may be 
subject to be sold by a writ of venditioni exponas or levari facias. Vide 10 
Vin. Ab. 497; Woodf. Landl. & Ten, 447; Archb. Civ. Pl. 17; 7 Com. Dig. 659.