Phrase used in charters of earldoms granted by William I to his followers in the great distribution of land following the Conquest = the total or complete rights of an earl. As a *tenant-in-chief, such a lord would not worry about others' powers within his shire, only the king's. Such a *fief would have the power of appointing the *sheriff, the collection of the *third penny, and other matters. The earl might or might not have the right of acting as *justiciar in his shire. Although the phrase suggests a clear-cut set of rights and privileges, in fact each was resolved on its own merits.
Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases. Christopher Coredon with Ann Williams.