You're 💯
I understand you're right about this.
I'm not a lord, or a thane ( man given an estate and favour ) not 100% sure if uk law regards me as a freeman 🤷♂️
Maybe actions by people can embolden a benevolent king 🤷♂️
It's just in my world view the lords and thanes use people as leverage and have good control over the masses
