Quote Originally Posted by Geoff Parkstone View Post
It may have been given under royal patronage to the manorial classes, albeit in return for service in battle etc, so not actually free, but it was never taken from the poor as it was never owned by the poor. At some points in time tenants and copyholders may have had limited entitlement to use of land, but never ownership.

Trust me this issue was my "dissertation" (except it wasnt called that) at A level..........

And as to whether it was fair - I suggest you take that one up with the conquering Normans
Ah I trust you, though I'm not really sure you A level history was quite in depth enough to actually cover the whole subject.