The vassal, in return for his services and payments,
looked to the lord for the protection of life and property. The lord agreed to
secure him in the enjoyment of his fief, to guard him against his enemies, and
to see that in all matters he received just treatment. This was no slight
undertaking.
HOMAGE
The ceremony of homage [5] symbolized the whole feudal
relationship. One who proposed to become a vassal and hold a fief came into the
lord's presence, bareheaded and unarmed, knelt down, placed his hands between
those of the lord, and promised henceforth to become his "man." The
lord then kissed him and raised him to his feet. After the ceremony the vassal
placed his hand upon the Bible or upon sacred relics and swore to remain
faithful to his lord. This was the oath of "fealty." The lord then
gave the vassal some object—a stick, a clod of earth, a lance, or a glove—in
token of the fief with the possession of which he was now "invested."
[5] Latin homo, "man."
FEUDAL GOVERNMENT A SUBSTITUTE FOR ANARCHY
It is clear that the feudal method of land tenure, coupled
with the custom of vassalage, made in some degree for security and order. Each
noble was attached to the lord above him by the bond of personal service and
the oath of fidelity. To his vassals beneath him he was at once protector,
benefactor, and friend. Unfortunately, feudal obligations were far less
strictly observed in practice than in theory. Both lords and vassals often
broke their engagements, when it seemed profitable to do so. Hence they had
many quarrels and indulged in constant warfare. But feudalism, despite its
defects, was better than anarchy. The feudal lords drove back the pirates and
hanged the brigands and enforced the laws, as no feeble king could do. They
provided a rude form of local government for a rude society.
