Legal Definitions - feudatory

A feudatory was a person in a historical feudal system who received land, often called a "fief" or "feud," from a more powerful lord. In exchange for this land, the feudatory pledged loyalty and provided specific services, such as military support, labor, or taxes, to their lord. Essentially, a feudatory was a tenant who held an estate under an obligation of service and allegiance to a superior.

• Example 1: Imagine a skilled knight named Sir Kael who is granted a small castle and the surrounding farmlands by Duke Robert. In return for this grant, Sir Kael pledges to provide 20 armed men for the Duke's army whenever called upon and to maintain peace and order within his granted territory. Here, Sir Kael is the feudatory because he has received land (the castle and farmlands) from Duke Robert and, in exchange, owes specific military services and allegiance to the Duke.

• Example 2: Consider a powerful noble, Lord Eleanor, who is granted a vast province by the King. She promises to govern the province, collect taxes on behalf of the crown, and supply a contingent of knights for the royal army during wartime. Lord Eleanor acts as a feudatory to the King. She holds significant land and authority directly from the King, and in return, she is bound by duties of governance, taxation, and military service to him.