fealty
(noun)
An oath, from the Latin fidelitas (faithfulness); a pledge of allegiance of one person to another.
Examples of fealty in the following topics:
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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.
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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.
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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.