fealty
/ˈfiːlti/ · feal·ty
noun
- Fidelity to one's lord or master; the feudal obligation by which a tenant or vassal was bound to be faithful to his lord. The knight swore fealty to the king, promising to serve him in war and peace.
- The oath by which this obligation was assumed. During the ceremony, each vassal placed his hand on the altar and pronounced his fealty.
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Did you know? The phrase “swear fealty” dates back to the 12th century and appears in the Magna Carta, where barons pledged fealty to King John.