Some time ago I noticed that the word "allodial" appears in the
Constitution of the Kingdom of Norway (orig: "odels"). So I wrote to the
attorney general there and asked about it. Two months later I have the
reply:

               ROYAL MINISTRY OF JUSTICE AND THE POLICE
                       LEGISLATION DEPARTMENT
 OFFICE ADDRESS: AKERSGT 42 - TEL + 47 22 24 90 90 - TELEX 21 403 JDEP N
       POSTAL ADDRESS: P O BOX 8005 DEP, N-0030 OSLO, NORWAY

ARTICLE 107 OF THE NORWEGIAN CONSTITUTION ON ALLODIAL RIGHT

We refer to your letter dated 28 December 1996 concerning Article 107 of
the Norwegian Constitution on allodial right.

./. We enclose an extract from a commentary on Article 107 which we
    hope will answer your questions satisfactorily. We add that Article 107
    does _not_ prohitib property tax, neither does it prohibit requirements for
    a building licence for the constuction of new houses. Please find
./. enclosed also the $1 you enclosed in your letter.

                              Etter fullmakt
                              /s/
                              Eirik Akerlie
                              lovradgiver

                                             /s/
                                             Siri Arntzen
                                             forstekonsulent


                                 Article 107

Allodial right and the right of primogeniture shall not be abolished. The
specific conditions under which these rights shall continue for the
greatest benefit of the State and to the best advantage of the rural
population shall be determined by the first or second subsequent Storting.

The Constitution here prohibits the abolition of allodial right and the
right of primogeniture.
   The Constituent Assembly regarded these old Norwegian legal institutions
as a useful means of preserving the security of independent farmers. These
two rights constitute an obstacle to the accumulation of large estates, on
the one hand, and an obstacle to an uneconomic splitting up of the farms,
on the other.
   Allodial right is a family right; it gives the members of a family the
right to redeem allodial land in a certain sequence. The right of
primogeniture is a right by which an heir may take over the family farm and
buy out the other heirs for a reasonable price in order to keep the
property intact in his own hands. Specific provisions relating to allodial
right and the right of primogeniture have been made by ordinary
legislation. Allodial right can be enforced at the administration of an
estate or by legal proceedings when the property has been transferred to
strangers or to kinsmen who have an inferior allodial right. The right of
primogeniture can only be enforced at the administration of an estate.
   By serving to prevent large accumulations of landed property in
individual hands, allodial right helps to realize the principle of
equality. At the same time it was intended to link the farmers to the land
and to strengthen their self-confidence and self-respect. The right of
primogeniture is intended to ensure that farmers who inherit land shall not
be too greatly encumbered by debt and to counteract the splitting up of
agricultural properties. This is done at the expense of the other heirs.
   In the second sentence it is provided that the Storting shall
subsequently make specific provisions (see Article 94). Such provisions
were made in the Allodial Right Act of 1821, which has now been replaced by
a new Allodial Right Act of 1974.

[Note: No, they didn't tell me the title of the book. -Rod]

[Some historical background: Norway was independent until the mid 1600's,
when it came under the domination of Denmark. Later Denmark allied itself
with Napoleon, who lost an important battle in 1813, consequently Denmark
was weakened and Norway became free. They wrote their constitution in 1814.
-Rod]