Folc-land

folkland, sax. in Saxo% law. Land of the people or public; so called either because usually distributed among the common people, or because it was the property of the whole community, or because it was held by common right Folcmote, folkmote, folcgemote: a meeting of the people; a general assembly of the people, to consider and order matters of the commonwealth; an assembly of the people or freeholders of a county or county court; an assembly of the inhabitants of a city or borough, or city court Folcright, folkright: common right; that which is equally the right of all.

In Saxon law, J.and of tiie folk or people. Land belonging to the people or the public. Folc-land was the property of the community. It might be occupied in common, or possessed in severalty; and, in the latter case, it was probably parceled out to individuals in the fole-gemote or court of the district, and the grant sanctioned by ad in perpetuity; and therefore, on the expiration of the term for which it had been granted, it reverted to the community, and was again distributed by the same authority. It was subject ic many burdens and exactions from which boe-land was exempt. Wharton.

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.