investiture etymology

Etymology:

• From Latin "investitura," meaning "investiture" or "giving of possession."
• Derived from the verb "investire," meaning "to put on" or "to clothe."

Meaning and Origin:

In the feudal system of medieval Europe, investiture was a formal ceremony in which a lord bestowed land or office upon a vassal. The ceremony symbolized the transfer of authority and the establishment of a feudal bond between the two parties.

Investiture involved several key elements:

• Symbolic Clothing: The lord would grant the vassal a piece of clothing, such as a banner, sword, or ring. This represented the transfer of ownership or authority.
• Oath of Fealty: The vassal would swear an oath of loyalty and service to the lord.
• Homage: The vassal would kneel before the lord and place his hands between the lord's hands, symbolizing dependence and submission.

Investiture was an important ritual that solidified the social and political hierarchies of feudal society. It established the rights and obligations of both the lord and the vassal and ensured the orderly functioning of the feudal system.

Over time, the term "investiture" has come to be used more broadly to refer to any formal ceremony in which authority, rank, or dignity is bestowed upon an individual. For example, in the Catholic Church, the pope bestows episcopal investiture on newly consecrated bishops.

investiture relate terms

• invest

  Etymology The word invest is derived from the Latin word investis which means to c

• divestiture

  Etymology The word divestiture originates from the Latin word divestire which means

• divest

  Etymology From Middle English divesten from Anglo Norman desvester from Old French de

• investiture

  Etymology From Latin investitura meaning investiture or giving of possession De

• investment

  Etymology of Investment The word investment derives from the Old French term investi

• investiture

  Etymology From Latin investitura meaning investiture or giving of possession De

• invest

  Etymology The word invest is derived from the Latin word investis which means to c

• invest

  Etymology The word invest is derived from the Latin word investis which means to c

• inauguration

  Etymology Inauguration derives from the Latin word inaugurare meaning to consecrate or

• induction

  Etymology Induction comes from the Latin word inductio which means leading in or

• promotion

  Etymology The word promotion comes from the Latin word promovere which means to mov

• fleece

  Etymology The word fleece comes from the Old English word fleece which is derived fr

• vehement

  Etymology French véhément Latin vehemens violent impetuous ardent Proto Indo E

• fret

  Etymology From Middle English freten fretten freten from Old English fretian to de

• dedication

  Etymology The word dedication comes from the Latin word dedicatio which means a set

• potential

  Etymology The term etymology comes from the Greek words etymon meaning true meanin

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