Etymology
The word "fealty" derives from the Old French word "fealté," which itself originated from the Late Latin term "fidēlitās," meaning "faithfulness, loyalty."
Meaning and Origin
Fealty is a legal and ethical obligation of loyalty and fidelity owed by a vassal to his or her feudal lord. In the feudal system, which flourished in medieval Europe, vassals pledged fealty to their lords in exchange for protection, land, or other benefits.
Feudal Obligation
The oath of fealty was a solemn ceremony in which the vassal swore to:
In return, the lord was obligated to:
Modern Usage
While the feudal system is no longer in existence, the concept of fealty continues to be used in some contexts, such as:
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