Folc-Land

Folkland.

Sax. [from Jble, people, and land.] In Saxon law. Land of the people or public, {terra popularis.) Spelman. So called, either because usually distributed among the common people, or because it was the property of the whole community; or, finally, because it was held by common right or law.* A species of land among the Saxons, which was not held by any assurance in writing, and in that respect distinguished from bocland. Terra popularis quce jure eommuni possidetur, vel sine scripto.

Spelman.

Land held without writing

paying an annual rent, and liable to certun services.

Somner.

See Boeland. Fo Uland has been supposed, by Sir W. Blackstone and other writers, to have been land held in villeinage, and resumable at the discretion of the lord.

2 Bl. Com. 90. Cra Ws Hist. 13. Qilb. C. Pleas, Introd, 15. Cowell.

Later researches into Saxon antiqmties, however, have shown that though it was subject to many burthens and exactions, it might be held by freemen of all ranks ajid conditions. It is now supposed to \iave been the property of the commur/ity, which was parcelled out to individr^s in the fok-mote, and granted for a •e.rtain term, on the expiration of which ^^ reverted to the community.

Whartov Cs Lex

Allen on the Prerogative, 140, et seq. i Spence's Chancery, 8.