The rights of a freeman are these. He has land within the limits of the community, the éðel or hereditary estate (κληρος, hæredium, hýd) by virtue of which he is a portion of the community, bound to various duties and graced with his various privileges. For although his rights are personal, inherent in himself, and he may carry them with him into the wilderness if he please, still, where he shall be permitted to execute them depends upon his possession of lands in the various localities. In these he is entitled to vote with his fellows upon all matters concerning the general interests of the community; the election of a judge, general or king; the maintenance of peace or war with a neighbouring community; the abrogation of old, or the introduction of new laws; the admission of conterminous freemen to a participation of rights and privileges in the district. He is not only entitled but bound to share in the celebration of the public rites of religion, to assist at the public council or Ðing, where he is to pronounce the customary law, by ancient right, and so assist in judging between man and man; lastly to take part, as a soldier, in such measures of offence and defence as have been determined upon by the whole community. He is at liberty to make his own alliances, to unite with other freemen in the formation of gilds or associations for religious or political purposes. He can even attach himself, if he will, to a lord or patron, and thus withdraw himself from the duties and the privileges of freedom. He and his family may depart whither he will, and no man may follow or prevent him: but he must go by open day and publicly, (probably not without befitting ceremonies and a symbolical renunciation of his old seats,) that all may have their claims upon him settled before he departs[214]. ----- Footnote 214: “Si quis liber homo migrare voluerit aliquo, potestatem habeat infra dominium regni nostri, cum fara sua, migrare quo voluerit.” Leg. Roth. 177. The free folk on the Leutkircher Heide “are free and shall have no _nachjagende Herr_,” (_i. e._ Lord hunting after them, the _Dominus persequens_ of our early law-books). Lünig. Reichsarch. p. spec. cont. 4. p. 803. See further Grimm, Deut. Rechtsalt. 286, etc. -----