Legal Definitions - infidelis

Infidelis is a historical Latin term that referred to an individual considered disloyal, unfaithful, or who had broken their oath of allegiance or fealty. In medieval legal systems, particularly those based on feudalism, an infidelis was someone who had betrayed their lord or sovereign, thereby forfeiting rights or incurring penalties due to their breach of trust. The term could also, in broader societal contexts, refer to someone who did not adhere to the dominant religious faith, which often carried legal and social disadvantages.

• Example 1 (Feudal Disloyalty): In a medieval kingdom, a knight named Sir Gareth swore an oath of fealty to Duke Alaric, promising military service and unwavering loyalty in exchange for a fiefdom. However, during a border dispute, Sir Gareth secretly provided strategic information about Duke Alaric's forces to a rival count, hoping to gain more land and influence for himself.

  This action would brand Sir Gareth as an infidelis. He directly violated his solemn oath of fealty to Duke Alaric, demonstrating profound disloyalty and unfaithfulness. Historically, such a breach of trust could lead to the forfeiture of his lands and titles, and severe punishment for treason against his liege lord.

• Example 2 (Breach of Royal Allegiance): During a period of political instability, a powerful baron, Lord Thorne, openly defied the reigning monarch's decree to contribute troops to a royal campaign. Instead, Lord Thorne fortified his own castle, refused to pay royal taxes, and began to gather his own private army, effectively challenging the king's authority.

  Lord Thorne would be considered an infidelis to the crown. His actions constituted a direct breach of his allegiance and loyalty to the sovereign. This would historically be viewed as an act of rebellion or treason, carrying severe legal consequences, including the potential loss of his barony and even his life.

• Example 3 (Religious Disenfranchisement with Legal Impact): In a historical European state where adherence to the established state church was a legal requirement for holding public office or inheriting certain types of property, a wealthy merchant named Marcus, who openly practiced a different, non-sanctioned religion, was legally barred from serving on the city council or inheriting his uncle's landed estate.

  In this context, Marcus was considered an infidelis not just in a theological sense, but with direct legal ramifications. Because he did not conform to the dominant faith, the legal system deemed him "unfaithful" to the religious and social order, leading to his disenfranchisement from specific rights and privileges tied to religious conformity.