The word _alode_, then, was probably applied at first only to the lands taken by the victors in virtue of their conquests. Another proof of this is that allodial property, properly so called, was long distinguished from the lands held also in absolute right, and entailing no acknowledgment of a superior, but which had been acquired by purchase or in any other way. A distinction was also made among allodial lands, of _salic_ land, which could be inherited only by males. This was probably the original allod, the land acquired at the time of the conquest, and which thereupon became the primitive and principal establishment of the head of the family. _Terra salica_ is the _terra aviatica_ of the Ripuarian Franks, the _terra sortis titulo adquisita_ of the Burgundians, the _hæreditas_ of the Saxons, and the _terra paterna_ of the formulas of Marculf. {107} Salic Land. Various explanations have been given of the term _salic land_. Montesquieu thinks that it was the land belonging to the house, from the word, _sal_, hall. This explanation is supported by Hullmann. It would thus be the _in-land_ of the Anglo-Saxons. It is probable that originally the _terra salica_ was in fact the land connected with _the_ house, the residence of the chieftain. The two explanations would thus coincide; but the former is more complete and historical than the latter. The name of _allod_ was extended by degrees to all lands possessed in absolute right, and held from no superior, whether they were the original allods or not. The words _proprium, possessio, prædium, hæreditas,_ were then employed as synonyms of _allodium_. It was probably at this period also that the rigorous interdict which excluded females from succession to salic land, fell into desuetude. It would have been too harsh to exclude them from succession to all allodial property. There were some doubts entertained on this point as early as the time when the salic law was drawn up; and Marculf has transmitted to us a formula which proves that, although it was the common law to deprive females of all succession to primitive allods, a father might, nevertheless, by his will, give his daughter an equal share with his sons in the division of all his property, of whatever nature. The essential and primitive characteristic of the _allodium_, consisted in the absoluteness of the property; the right to give it away, to alienate it, to bequeath it by inheritance or will, &c. Its second characteristic was that it depended upon no superior, and involved no service or tribute of any kind to any individual. But although allodial lands were exempt from all private charges towards individuals, does it follow that they were also exempt from all public charges as regarded the state, or the king as head of the State? This question has been differently answered by learned men.