| A | B |
|---|
| allod | Small allotments of land held by free men. |
| Chivalry | The idealized code of conduct for medieval knights. Courage and courtesy in battle, generosity to inferiors and loyalty to lord. |
| fealty | A tenant's or vassal's fidelty, loyalty and allegiance to a lord. |
| fief | A piece of land, a benefice, an honour or a right held on the condition of giving military and other services to the feudal lord in return for receiving protection. |
| liege | The superior or sovereign lord to whom a vassal owes ultimate allegience above all others. |
| primogeniture | Meaning 'firstborn,' the law of primogeniture prevented the dispersal of family property by allowing only the eldest son to inherit the entire patrimony. |
| serf | The class of semi-free peasants. Considered property of a lord and bound to his lands. Had few legal rights, but courts upheld reasonable treatment and conditions for them. |
| vassal | The holder of land by feudal tenure on conditions of homage and allegiance. |
