Legal Definitions - francus tenens

Definition: A francus tenens, also known as a frank-tenant, is a freeholder in historical terms.

Example: In medieval England, a francus tenens was a person who held land directly from the king or a lord, without any obligation to pay rent or perform services. They were considered to be of a higher social status than a villein or a serf, who were bound to the land and had to work for their lord.

Explanation: The example illustrates how a francus tenens was a freeholder who owned land without any obligations to pay rent or perform services. This was a privileged position in medieval society, as most people were either villeins or serfs who were bound to the land and had to work for their lord. The term francus tenens is derived from the Latin words "francus" meaning free and "tenens" meaning holding, which reflects the status of these landowners as freeholders.