The duty of the sovereign (which in the United Kingdom means the
Crown and the two branches of the legislature) with regard to land,
is thus described by Vattel:

"Of all arts, tillage or agriculture is doubtless the most useful
and necessary, as being the source whence the nation derives its
subsistence. The cultivation of the soil causes it to produce an
infinite increase. It forms the surest resource, and the most solid
fund of riches and commerce for a nation that enjoys a happy
climate. The sovereign ought to neglect no means of rendering the
land under his jurisdiction as well cultivated as possible....
Notwithstanding the introduction of private property among the
citizens, the nation has still the right to take the most effectual
measures to cause the aggregate soil of the country to produce the
greatest and most advantageous revenue possible. The cultivation of
the soil deserves the attention of the Government, not only on
account of the invaluable advantages that flow from it, but from
its being an obligation imposed by nature on mankind."

Sir Henry Maine thinks that there are traces in England of the
commune or MARK system in the village communities which are
believed to have existed, but these traces are very faint. The
subsequent changes were inherent in, and developed by, the various
conquests that swept over England; even that ancient class of
holdings called "Borough English," are a development of a war-like
system, under which each son, as he came to manhood, entered upon
the wars, and left the patrimonial lands to the youngest son. The
system of gavel-kind which prevailed in the kingdom of Kent,
survived the accession of William of Normandy, and was partially