liege
Lord over vassals
A liege is a feudal lord entitled to allegiance and service, or the vassal who owes it—the word works both directions.
A liege lord commanded loyalty; a liege man or liegeman gave it.
The term survives mainly in historical fiction and fantasy: I swear fealty to you, my liege.
Outside period contexts, liege sounds archaic or theatrical.
Pledged devotion to authority
- oathFormal binding promise
- homageExpression of deep respect
- vassalLand-holding sworn subordinate
- suzerainLord over vassals
overlord · fief · manor · serfdom · knight · chivalry · feudalism · bondsman
Pledged devotion to authority
- allegianceLoyalty owed to authority
- devotionDeep, loyal commitment
- fidelityLoyalty or exactness
- faithfulnessDevoted loyalty maintained
loyalty · duty · oath · bond · service · pledge · commitment · sworn
Nobleman or ruler
fealty
Pledged devotion to authority
suzerain · overlord · fief · manor · serfdom · knight · chivalry · feudalism · bondsman · liegeman
fealty
Pledged devotion to authority
- allegianceLoyalty owed to authority
- devotionDeep, loyal commitment
- fidelityLoyalty or exactness
faithfulness · loyalty · duty · oath · bond · service · pledge · commitment · sworn · troth
lord
Nobleman or ruler
overlord
Supreme feudal superior
ruler · king · duke · baron · count · prince · regent · nobility · aristocracy · throne
liegeman
Feudal subject owing allegiance
- retainerUpfront professional fee
- bondsmanOne who posts bail
- subordinateOne lower in rank
underling · serf · thrall · villein · dependant · sworn · subject · servant · peasant · tenant
- chivalryknighthood, knights, chivalry, medieval knights, honor
- medievalknights, castles, cathedral, kings, queens
- Medieval Europekings, queens, knights, castles, castle
- medieval societyserfs, noble lineage, peasants, serf, heir
- royaltyking, queen, prince, princess, kings
- medieval knightsknight, knights, armor, sword, swords
liegedisloyal
Untrue to commitments
traitor · faithless · oath-breaker · treasonous · turncoat
liegesubordinate
One lower in rank
dependent · tributary · protectorate · colony · puppet
- liege lordFeudal superior receiving homage