Homage

In the feudal system, the homage is the establishment or the renewal of a convention of vassalage which prohibited any competition between two free men. The ceremony was in general to take place with the manor seigneurial future Suzerain in the presence of several witnesses. She publicly pointed out the existence of a relation of Féodalité between two families, even two chalk-linings, represented by their chiefs who could be a woman. Although typically Hierarchical, the Contract of Vassalage between the two groups the place in a report/ratio of complementarity whose conditions are not unbalanced.

Simplest vassal is the knight of which the function is to serve justice and peace. While paying homage to the suzerain, the vassal one prohibits any act of hostility to him, and promises to bring assistance and council to him. N the other hand, the lord ensures to him the peaceful possession of a Fief, generally a ground whose income enables him to live noblement and to be equipped for the war. In the event of inaccuracy of vassal, after three proclamations inviting it to come to make amend with the manor where he had sworn his faith, the suzerain can begin again by the force and confiscate the stronghold which he had given.

The ceremonial of the homage is very precise; it is placed in the tradition of the acts of allegiance between chiefs who exist among all people of the Antiquité, including in Gaulle. Religious bases sound renewed with the Gospels: it is initially the bona fide, then the idea of a justice which puts the force at the service of poor and of the orphan which inspire engagement.

Characteristics of the ceremony

By ceremony of homage (not to be confused with that of the Adoubement which makes of a man a knight), the vassal one étymologiquement becomes the man of a lord.

The homage is a public ceremony which proceeds in general with the castle of the lord, in front of witnesses. There thus does not need written Contrat.

The ceremony proceeds in several stages:

  • first of all the vassal one swears fidelity has its lord (the lord takes the hands of vassal in his: it is the auxilum manuum );
  • then they are made a kiss on the mouth: it is the osculum (symbol of equality between warriors and Christians) before swearing mutual Loyauté on the Bible;
  • finally the lord gives an object which represents the stronghold (ground, stick or piece of wood - festuca -, gloves, ring out of gold or others).

Three key periods

Homage itself: with knees opposite its lord, naked head, the vassal one tightens its hands united towards its superior. The lord closes his hands in those of his vassal. The vassal one proclaims its will to serve its lord. He becomes his “man”, he makes gift of his person. The Aveu is a written document given by the vassal one to its lord (XIIIe S.). The gesture can be also followed by a kiss of peace, on the mouth.

The faith or fidelity is an oath lent on the Reliques or a holy object to return the pact crowned.

The nomination of the stronghold is the last moment of the ceremony: it consists in for the lord giving to a his vassal object symbolizing the stronghold (ring, lump of earth, rod, standard); if the contract is broken by the vassal one, the lord can take again his stronghold.

However the homage known as “simple” is not exclusive. To cure this problem the liege Hommage was invented.

The homage is not hereditary: personal bond between two men, it dies out and must be renewed with dead of vassal or the suzerain, with his (or its or one of its) heir (S).

See too

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