Fealty

A contract between individuals in which an exchange of support or protection is promised.

A huge and often misunderstood concept. The Known World Handbook defines it as "A relationship between individuals, marked by an exchange of oaths of service and protection. You may take an oath of fealty to the Crown, the local Baron and Baroness, or an individual. It is basically a contract which says that "I will do X for you if you will do Y for me." If one party fails in upholding the contract, the oath is null and void. Fealty to the Crown is required of no one save the Knights.

-- Mistress Arlys o Gordon