It's literally something everyone was memed into accepting in the 1800s.
Prior to that leadership was based on personal relationships and trust.
"We're bad at #leadership but let us be leaders too!" Is responsible for a huge chunk of modern problems.
Prior to that leadership was based on personal relationships and trust.
"We're bad at #leadership but let us be leaders too!" Is responsible for a huge chunk of modern problems.
https://twitter.com/bdunbar/status/1408499719861592064
Some ahistorical dumbass is going to read this and say "well what about kings?"
You didn't pledge loyalty directly to the king (unless you were important, like nobility.) You pledged to your local Baron; he pledged to the king or to a Duke, who then pledged to the king.
You didn't pledge loyalty directly to the king (unless you were important, like nobility.) You pledged to your local Baron; he pledged to the king or to a Duke, who then pledged to the king.
"By the Lord before whom this sanctuary is holy, I will to (lord) be true and faithful, loving that which he loves and shunning that which he shuns, according to the laws of God and the order of the world."
Note: oaths of fealty could not be used to make you commit atrocities.
Note: oaths of fealty could not be used to make you commit atrocities.
This is also the origin of religious exemptions from military service and modern conscientious objection. It was literally baked into the Anglo-Saxon loyalty oath.
"Nor will I ever by will or action, word or deed, do anything unpleasing to him, on condition that he will hold to me as I deserve it, and he will perform everything as it was on our agreement when I submitted myself to him and chose his will."
It's a contract.
It's a contract.
Acceptance:
"Henry, king of England, duke of Normandy and Aquitaine, count of Anjou, to all liegemen, English, Normans, Welsh, and Scots... Know ye that We have received (vassal) into our grace and favor;
"Henry, king of England, duke of Normandy and Aquitaine, count of Anjou, to all liegemen, English, Normans, Welsh, and Scots... Know ye that We have received (vassal) into our grace and favor;
"Wherefore: whosoever within the bounds of Our territories shall be willing to give him aid, [as our vassal, in recovering his territories*,] let him be assured of our favor and license on that behalf."
*This part is specific to the terms of vassalage discussed.
#history
*This part is specific to the terms of vassalage discussed.
#history
Again: the Oath follows a set format, but it's meant to include specific terms just like a contract, and if the lord fails to perform he is not owed loyalty.
In the Acceptance above King Henry is assuring his new vassal he won't forget the terms they agreed to.
#feudalism
In the Acceptance above King Henry is assuring his new vassal he won't forget the terms they agreed to.
#feudalism
Getting back to the initial point: the very idea of giving loyalty to a leader whom you had never met and had a discussion with about the nature of your loyalty and your expectations of leadership would have been silly to the ancestors.
#leadership
#leadership
I used the Anglo forms above but this can be seen in other feudal cultures as well, for example, in Japan in the ritualized exchange of drinks.
You obviously have met and had the opportunity to talk with a man if you have been drinking with him.
Personal relationships matter.
You obviously have met and had the opportunity to talk with a man if you have been drinking with him.
Personal relationships matter.
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