Law. For forms see FREE a. [f. FREE a. + HOLD sb.; a transl. of AF. fraunc tenement.]

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  1.  A tenure by which an estate is held in fee-simple, fee-tail, or for term of life; applied also to a corresponding tenure of a dignity or office.

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1523.  Fitzherb., Surv., 12. There be many maner of fre holdes, and holde their landes and tenementes in diuers maner.

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1599.  Marston, Sco. Villanie, I. ii. C 4.

        When tenure for short yeeres, (by many a one)
Is thought right good be turn’d forth Littleton,
All to be headdie, or free hold at least.

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a. 1626.  Bacon, Max. & Uses Com. Law (1636), 44. Leases for lives are also called Freeholds: they may also be made by Word or Writing.

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1660.  R. Coke, Power & Subj., 25. Do or Dedi to such a man or woman for term of either of their lives, or to such a man or woman during the life of another, creates a freehold.

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1846.  B. Parke, Moore’s P. C. Cases, V. 391. It is a principle of common law, that a party cannot be removed from office, in which he has a freehold, but for misconduct.

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1858.  Ld. St. Leonards, Handy-bk. Prop. Law, X. 65. An estate for life, or for another man’s life, is termed a freehold, less than an inheritance, but still a freehold.

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  2.  An estate or office held by this tenure.

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1467.  in Eng. Gilds (1870), 393. And that he be of frehold yerly, at the leste, xl. s.

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1495.  Act 11 Hen. VII., c. 16. Who that hath eny freeholde within the Toun of Caleis.

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1542–3.  Act 34 & 35 Hen. VIII., c. 22. Manours … beinge the inheritaunce or the freholde of his wife.

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1691.  Case of Exeter Coll., 22. He must be turned out by due course of Law; and not frighted from his freehold by the thunder of Excommunication.

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1712.  Prideaux, Direct. Ch.-wardens (ed. 4), 25. The Vicar hath the Freehold of the Chancel.

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1765.  Blackstone, Comm., I. i. 100. No freeman shall be divested of his freehold.

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1856.  Emerson, Eng. Traits, Aristocr., Wks. (Bohn), II. 81. The great estates are absorbing the small freeholds.

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1871.  Freeman, Norm. Conq. (1876), IV. xviii. 167. One lordship in Somerset, alone among all the lands of England, became the freehold of the Church of Saint Peter at Rome.

17

  3.  transf. and fig.

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1611.  Bible, Transl. Pref., 2. He that medleth with mens Religion in any part, medleth with their custome, nay, with their freehold.

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1631.  Massinger, Beleive as You List, IV. ii.

          Courtezan.  Yf thou wer’et
Ten times a Kinge, thou liest. I am a ladie….
  Metellus.  Hee hath touchd her free hold.

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1870.  Whittier, My Triumph, 69.

        I feel the earth move sunward,
I join the great march onward,
And take by faith, while living,
My freehold of thanksgiving.

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  4.  attrib. or adj. Held by freehold; relating to or of the nature of freehold.

22

1537.  Test. Ebor. (Surtees), V. 235. I bequeath all my landes, as well copiehold as freehold, to a chauntre of Sancte Nicholas.

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1647.  Ward, The Simple Cobler of Aggawam in America, 63. I have observed men to have two kindes of Wills, a Free-hold will, such as men hold in Capite of themselves; or a Copy-hold will, held at the will of other Lords or Ladies.

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1827.  Jarman, Powell’s Devises (ed. 3), II. 115. The testatrix having in a former part of her will disposed of all her freehold estate.

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1876.  Digby, Real Prop., iii. § 15. 139. When the rights over the land are given for a period the termination of which is not fixed or ascertained by a specified limit of time, the interest is a freehold interest.

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