But the privileged class alone are eligible to the greatest offices of the state; they have in their hands the exclusive control of the national religion; they have the exclusive enjoyment of the common land of the state - in Teutonic phrase, the folkland.
Evidently folkland was not free from the payment of gafal (land tax) and providing quarters for the king's men.
In ealdorman Alfred's will the testator disposes freely of his bookland estates in favour of his sons and his daughter, but to a son who is not considered as rightful offspring five hides of folkland are left, provided the king consents.
It is probable that folkland is meant in two or three cases when Latin documents speak of terra rei publicae jure possessa.
Another theory was started by Professor Vinogradoff in an article on folkland in the English Hist.