FREEHOLD, FRANK TENEMENT, (liberum tenementum), is land, or tenement, which a man holds in fee-simple, fee-tail, or for term of life. See FEE and TAIL.
Freehold is of two kinds, in deed and in law. The first is the real possession of land or tenement
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in fee, fee-tail, or for life: the other is the right a man has to such land or tenement before his entry or seizure.
A freehold, by the common law, cannot commence in future; but it must take effect presently, either in possession, reversion, or remainder. Whatever is part of the freehold goes to the heir; and things fixed thereto may not be taken in distress for rent, or in execution, &c. No man shall be disseised of his freehold by stat. Magna Charta, cap. 29. but by judgment of his peers, or according to the laws of the land, nor shall any distraint freeholders to answer for their freehold in any thing concerning the same, without the king's writ. Freehold estates, of certain value, are required by statutes to qualify jurors, electors of the knights of the shire in parliament, &c.