Any judgment which at the decedent's death was a lien on real estate then owned by him or on real estate which he had conveyed by deed not recorded during his life shall continue to bind the real estate for five years from the inception or last revival of the lien or for one year from the decedent's death, whichever shall be longer, although the judgment be not revived after his death. During this period, the judgment shall rank according to its priority at the time of death, and after this period, it shall not continue to be a lien on the real estate, unless revived. Any judgment against the decedent which is a lien on real estate aliened by him may be revived by an action of scire facias brought against the decedent, but before any judgment shall be entered thereon, the personal representative shall be made a party defendant and served with process in the action.