Obligation of fidelity in a military, political and social sense on the part of a
feudal tenant or
vassal to his
lord . The contract is not to be confused with
homage , though both ceremonies were conducted at the same time. In the first part of the ceremony, where the
liegeman swore personal homage to the lord, they swore to âbecome his manâ. The lord swore an
oath of his own where he pledged protection and defense for the tenant. During the second part of the ceremony, only the liegeman swore the oath, swearing to perform faithful service for the land so tendered. Called foi in French, Treue or Triuwe in German.
