Simple English definitions for legal terms
Read a random definition: International Law Commission
Term: ACHIEVE
Definition: In the past, when someone received a piece of land or money, they had to show respect to the person who gave it to them. This was called achieving. It was like saying thank you and promising to be loyal.
Definition: To do homage upon the taking of a fee or fief.
Example: In medieval times, when a lord granted a piece of land to a vassal, the vassal would achieve the land by performing a ceremony of homage and swearing loyalty to the lord.
Explanation: The term "achieve" was used in feudal times to describe the act of a vassal formally accepting a piece of land from a lord. This involved a ceremony of homage, in which the vassal would kneel before the lord, place his hands between the lord's hands, and swear an oath of loyalty. This act of achieving the land was an important part of the feudal system, as it established the relationship between lord and vassal and ensured that the vassal would be loyal and obedient to the lord.