A more thorough explanation:

Hommes de fief

Hommes de fief were feudal tenants who held land from lords. They were also peers in the lords' courts. They were also known as hommes feodaux.

• A knight who held land from a lord was an homme de fief.
• A baron who had vassals who held land from him was also an homme de fief.

These examples show that hommes de fief were people who held land from lords and were part of the feudal system. They had certain rights and responsibilities, such as providing military service to their lord.