Two principal systems of land ownership in England, were Feudal and Alodial. Historically they are very interesting and well worth fuller examination than the scope of this book permits. The Feudal system conceived the absolute ownership of all land to be in the king or sovereign, the subject having merely a feud or right to use the land in return for services. The Alodial system on the other hand recognized the principle that land might be owned by an individual, subject to no proprietary control of the sovereign. It did however recognize certain political rather than proprietary duties, such as to repair bridges, roads and fortresses. In the United States land is owned on principles derived from the Alodial system. We recognize private ownership, yet just as there were certain duties on land under the Alodial system, so there are limitations upon ownership and use inseparable from it, which for the mutual welfare of the community are enforced against the individual owner. They are

1. Police power of the State.

2. Escheat to the State.

3. Eminent domain.

4. Taxation.