fealty

(noun)

An oath, from the Latin fidelitas (faithfulness); a pledge of allegiance of one person to another.

Related Terms

Examples of fealty in the following topics:

  • Feudalism

    • This was done at a formal and symbolic ceremony called a commendation ceremony, which was composed of the two-part act of homage and oath of fealty.

  • The First Crusade

    • In return for food and supplies, Alexios requested that the leaders to swear fealty to him and promise to return to the Byzantine Empire any land recovered from the Turks.

  • The Hundred Years' War

    • He refused, however, to acknowledge his fealty to Philip, who responded by confiscating the duchy of Aquitaine in 1337; this precipitated war, and soon, in 1340, Edward declared himself king of France.