Liege The word means one bound, a bondsman (Latin, ligo, to bind); hence, vassals were called
liege-men- i.e. men bound to serve their lord. The lord was called the liege-lord, being bound to protect
the vassals.

“Unarmed and bareheaded, on his knees, and with his hands placed between those of his lord,
he [the military tenant] repeated these words:`Hear, my lord, I have become your liegeman of
life and limb, and earthly worship; and faith and truth I will bear to you to live and die.”-
Lingard: History of England, vol. ii. chap. i. p. 27.