A Homestead is a housing structure (of various sizes) built on land that has been granted by charter by the Steward of a Hold; such a charter is only granted to individuals of esteem in the eyes of the Jarl of that Hold, and invited at his or her direction by that Steward who offers the land in a letter of invitation asking for a payment to the Jarl in return. This land grant becomes a Homestead when a charter is accepted by the individual honored and paid for as required in said letter. The new owner is then free to build a new home on that land and to hire workers to help him or her to defend and manage it. It can also become a home to a family.