"A fief was conferred by a very solemn and peculiar ceremony called homage. The person about to become a vassal, kneeling with uncovered head, placed his hands in those of his future lord and solemnly vowed to be henceforth his man and to serve him faithfully even with his life. This part of the ceremony, sealed with a kiss, was what properly constituted the ceremony of homage."—Myers, 1905

The Ceremony of Homage

"A fief was conferred by a very solemn and peculiar ceremony called homage. The person about to become…