In the primitive form of Scandinavian society, without trade, manufacture, or commerce, _land_ was the only wealth, its _ownership_ the sole foundation of power, privilege, or dignity. As no man could win or hold possession without the strong arm to defend it, every landowner was a warrior, every warrior a husbandman. King Sigurd Syr tended his own hay harvest, and Sweyn of Gairsay and Thorkell Fostri swept the coasts of Britain or Ireland, while the crop which they and their rovers had sown grew ready for their reaping. The landed interest was all-powerful, for all were classed according to their interest in land, as _Free_ or _Un-free_. The _Freemen_ were the landowners, and as such, members of the Althing or Council of Freemen, including all the governing powers of the State, the King, Jarl, Bishop, Odallers, and Odal-baarn. The _Un-free_ were those who, possessing no land, had no political rights, including not only Slaves, the captives of war or relics of the conquered Pechts, but Tenants and Dependents, personally free. But as the interests of all were more or less affected by the Impignoration and subsequent changes, the extent of the revolution may be best estimated by a successive consideration of the nature of ODH-AL-RÆD, of the system of THINGS and STEFNS, and of the condition, rights and powers of the KING, JARL, and ODALLERS—freeborn Thingmen; of the BISHOP, a Thingman by custom or courtesy; and finally, of the UNFREE, Tenants and others, subjects not members of the Thing.