Literary notes about fealty (AI summary)
Fealty, as used in literature, often connotes a solemn pledge of loyalty and duty—whether to a monarch, a noble house, or an abstract ideal. In medieval and chivalric narratives, characters swear fealty to their sovereigns through formal oaths, as seen when knights pledge homage to their lords [1, 2, 3]. In a political or social context, the term also appears to describe unwavering allegiance to a cause or community, such as the loyalty demonstrated to a nation or political party [4, 5]. Even in poetic or dramatic works, fealty emerges as a marker of deep personal and moral commitment, echoing in the declarations of figures in Shakespearean dramas [6, 7] and in the lyrical vows of Dante [8].
- We chose a caballero of Seville, Fernando de Guzman, for king: and we swore fealty to him, as is done to thyself.
— from Personal Narrative of Travels to the Equinoctial Regions of America, During the Year 1799-1804 — Volume 2 by Alexander von Humboldt - “All this, Sir knight, I swear to do,” said the Knight of the Redlands; and therewith he did him homage and fealty.
— from The Legends of King Arthur and His Knights by Sir James Knowles and Sir Thomas Malory - In the act of fealty, the vassal placed his hand upon sacred relics, or upon the Bible, and swore eternal faithfulness to his seigneur.
— from A Source Book of Mediæval HistoryDocuments Illustrative of European Life and Institutions from the German Invasions to the Renaissance - He taught us only fealty to the Union and to the flag of the Union.
— from Modern Eloquence: Vol III, After-Dinner Speeches P-Z - Hence, the conference concluded by setting forth by resolutions, grievances, and a reaffirmation of fealty to the Republican party.
— from Shadow and Light An Autobiography with Reminiscences of the Last and Present Century by Mifflin Wistar Gibbs - And let my sovereign, virtuous Henry, Command my eldest son, nay, all my sons, As pledges of my fealty and love.
— from The Complete Works of William Shakespeare by William Shakespeare - [CHARLES and the rest give tokens of fealty]
— from The Complete Works of William Shakespeare by William Shakespeare - I swear even by the new roots of this tree My fealty to my lord I never broke, For worthy of all honour sure was he.
— from The Divine Comedy of Dante Alighieri: The Inferno by Dante Alighieri
