fealty

[ˈfiːəlti]

fealty Definition

• 1. a feudal tenant's or vassal's sworn loyalty to a lord
• 2. formal acknowledgment of loyalty to a lord

Using fealty: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "fealty" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  The knights swore fealty to the king.

• Example

  He pledged fealty to his new liege lord.

• Example

  Fealty was an important part of the feudal system.

• Example

  The vassals owed fealty to their lords.

fealty Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for fealty

• loyalty
• allegiance
• fidelity
• faithfulness
• devotion

Phrases with fealty

• homage and fealty

  the act of publicly acknowledging allegiance to a lord, often by kneeling and placing one's hands between the lord's hands

  Example

  The new vassal paid homage and fealty to his lord in a grand ceremony.

• fealty oath

  a formal pledge of loyalty made by a vassal to his lord

  Example

  The fealty oath was a solemn promise to serve and protect the lord.

• fealty pledge

  a formal promise of loyalty made by a vassal to his lord

  Example

  The fealty pledge was a binding agreement between the lord and his vassals.

Origins of fealty

from Old French 'feauté', from Latin 'fidelitas', meaning 'fidelity'

📌

Summary: fealty in Brief

'Fealty' [ˈfiːəlti] refers to the sworn loyalty of a feudal tenant or vassal to a lord. It is a formal acknowledgment of loyalty and an important part of the feudal system. Examples include 'The knights swore fealty to the king.' and 'Fealty was an important part of the feudal system.' Phrases like 'homage and fealty' and 'fealty oath' denote formal pledges of loyalty.