Homage

Homage was made to the Lord to be in the order of faith and security. The servant vassal activity to the Lord was homage. It denotes a client's oath to the king. It is the reverential submission or respect. It was paying reverence to a sovergien by external action.

It was the symbolical acknowledgment made by a feudal tenant to, and in the presence of, his lord, on receiving investiture of fee, or coming to it by succession, that he was his man, or vassal; profession of fealty to a sovereign. It is the respect and reverential regard to the sovergien of the land, paid by external action and obedience.

Ceremony

Knights did homage to the lord. Afterwards they would take up their fiefs and offices and whatever they had rightfully and legitimately obtained. Homage was the act of a feudal tenant by which he declared himself, on his knees, to be the hommage or bondman of the lord.

First, the lord asked if the knight was willing to become completely his man. The knight replied, "I am willing". Then clasping hands, the knights's surrounded by the hands of the lord, they were bound together by a kiss.

Secondly, the knight gave his fealty to the representative of the lord in these words, "I promise on my faith that I will in the future be faithful to the Lord, and will observe my homage to him completely against all persons in good faith and without deceit."

Thirdly, The knight took his oath to this upon the relics of the saints.

The Lord gave investitures to all who by this agreement had given their security and oath.

See also

Fealty, allegiance, bond, call of duty, charge, responsibility, duty, good faith, honor, line of duty, mission, presenting arms, service.