- Fealty
-
This article is about a pledge of allegiance. For the journalist, see Mick Fealty. For the novel by Niven and Pournelle, see Oath of Fealty (novel).
English Feudalism Harold Sacramentum Fecit Willelmo Duci
(Harold makes an oath to Duke William)
King Harold becomes the vassal
of Duke William of Normandy
(Bayeux Tapestry)Fee Overlord, Vassal Enfeoffment Subinfeudation Feoffee Feudal land tenure Fealty, Homage Feudalism in England Feudalism v · An oath of fealty, from the Latin fidelitas (faithfulness), is a pledge of allegiance of one person to another. Typically the oath is made upon a religious object such as a Bible or saint's relic, often contained within an altar, thus binding the oath-taker before God.
In medieval Europe, fealty was sworn between two people, the obliged person (vassal) and a person of rank (lord). This was done as part of a formal commendation ceremony to create a feudal relationship.
Fealty and homage are a key element of feudalism.
The term is also used by English-speakers to refer to similar oaths of allegiance in other feudal cultures, as with medieval Japan, as well as in modern political contexts.
See also
Categories:- Oaths of allegiance
- Feudalism
- Legal term stubs
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
Synonyms:Allegiance, homage, loyalty (to a feudal lord) / Fidelity, loyalty, faithfulness, honor, good faith, devotion
Look at other dictionaries:
fealty — fe al*ty (f[=e] al*t[y^]), n. [OE. feaute, OF. feaut[ e], fealt[ e], feelt[ e], feelteit, fr. L. fidelitas, fr. fidelis faithful. See {Feal}, and cf. Fidelity.] 1. Fidelity to one s lord; the feudal obligation by which the tenant or vassal was… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
fealty — I noun allegiance, compliance, constancy, deference, devotion, duteousness, duty, faith, faithfulness, fidelity, homage, humble service, loyalty, obedience, respect, reverence, servility, steadfastness, support, veneration II index adherence… … Law dictionary
fealty — c.1300, from O.Fr. feauté loyalty, fidelity; homage sworn by a vassal to his overlord; faithfulness, from L. fidelitatem (nom. fidelitas) fidelity, from fidelis loyal, faithful (see FIDELITY (Cf. fidelity)) … Etymology dictionary
fealty — *fidelity, loyalty, devotion, allegiance, piety Analogous words: faithfulness or faith, trueness or truth, constancy, staunchness, steadfastness (see corresponding adjectives at FAITHFUL): Obligation, duty Antonyms: perfidy Contrasted words:… … New Dictionary of Synonyms
fealty — ► NOUN historical ▪ a feudal tenant s or vassal s sworn loyalty to a lord. ORIGIN Old French feaulte from Latin fidelitas fidelity … English terms dictionary
fealty — [fē′əl tē] n. pl. fealties [ME feute, fealtye < OFr feauté, fealté < L fidelitas, FIDELITY] 1. a) the duty and loyalty owed by a vassal or tenant to his feudal lord b) an oath of such loyalty 2. Archaic loyalty; fidelity SYN … English World dictionary
fealty — /fiy(a)ltiy/ In feudal law, fidelity; allegiance to the feudal lord of the manor; the feudal obligation resting upon the tenant or vassal by which he was bound to be faithful and true to his lord, and render him obedience and service. This fealty … Black's law dictionary
fealty — /fiy(a)ltiy/ In feudal law, fidelity; allegiance to the feudal lord of the manor; the feudal obligation resting upon the tenant or vassal by which he was bound to be faithful and true to his lord, and render him obedience and service. This fealty … Black's law dictionary
Fealty — Oath of Fealty An oath of allegiance paid by a knight to his lord or by a lower person to his knight. Sometimes this fealty was in the form of money or possessions. Often it was in the form of an oath to serve, protect and defend. Obligation of… … Medieval glossary
fealty — [[t]fi͟ːəlti[/t]] N UNCOUNT In former times, if someone swore fealty to their ruler, they promised to be loyal to him or her. Syn: allegiance … English dictionary
Share the article and excerpts
Direct link
https://en-academic.com/dic.nsf/enwiki/43568 Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”
Fealty
- Fealty
-
This article is about a pledge of allegiance. For the journalist, see Mick Fealty. For the novel by Niven and Pournelle, see Oath of Fealty (novel).
English Feudalism Harold Sacramentum Fecit Willelmo Duci
(Harold makes an oath to Duke William)
King Harold becomes the vassal
of Duke William of Normandy
(Bayeux Tapestry)Fee Overlord, Vassal Enfeoffment Subinfeudation Feoffee Feudal land tenure Fealty, Homage Feudalism in England Feudalism