Simple English definitions for legal terms
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A liege man is a person who owes loyalty and service to a feudal lord or monarch. They are bound by feudal tenure and entitled to feudal allegiance. The term can also refer to a vassal who is bound to feudal allegiance or a loyal subject of a monarch or sovereign. In Scots law, "liege poustie" refers to the lawful power of a person to dispose of their heritable property when they are in good health. This term is derived from the Latin phrase "legitima potestas" which means lawful power.
Definition: A liege man is a historical term used to describe a vassal who owes feudal allegiance and service to a lord paramount. They are bound by feudal tenure to their lord and are loyal and faithful to them. The term can also refer to a loyal subject of a monarch or other sovereign.
Example: In medieval times, a knight would swear fealty to their liege lord, pledging their loyalty and service in exchange for protection and land. The liege man would then be bound to their lord and would have to fight for them in times of war.
Explanation: The example illustrates how a liege man was a vassal who owed allegiance and service to their lord. The knight would swear fealty to their liege lord, making them their superior and binding them to their service. This was a common practice in medieval times and was an important part of the feudal system.