Real Estate Interests and Land Use

In 1066, William of Normandy crossed the English Channel and defeated a Saxon army in the Battle of Hastings; thereafter, became known as William the Conqueror. As King William I of England, he introduced a land-holding system, commonly known as the feudal system, which is the basis for real property law in both England and the United States today.
When considering the various legal relationships to land that are based on this English heritage, it is helpful to define some terms at the outset. The broadest term, an interest, includes any of the various rights, privileges, powers, and immunities with respect to any kind of property, including real property. The totality of all rights, privileges, powers, and immunities with respect to a particular item of property is “complete ownership” or “complete property