Middle English Dictionary Entry
alliǧeaunce n.
Entry Info
| Forms | alliǧeaunce n. Also alige-, aliege-, al(l)ege-. |
| Etymology | AF; cp. CF ligeance. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. ligeance.
1.
(a) Allegiance (to a lord), loyalty; esp., loyalty to the king [quot. 1461]; fidelity (to God); (b) a lord's title to the loyalty of his subjects, lordship; your ~, your Highness.
Associated quotations
a
- a1425 PPl.C (Cmb Ff 5.35)19.202 : A-ligeaunce [Hnt: On lorde [God] that lygaunce cleymeþ].
- (1461) Indent.Neuille in Chet.9869 : Sir John Trafford..ys beloft and reteyned..with ye seid erle..to..do hym seruice and attendance agenst all maner persones, except hys allegence.
- c1475(c1399) Mum & S.(1) (Cmb Ll.4.14)1.9 : Of alegeaunce now lerneth a lesson..Wher-by it standith and stablithe moste -- By dride, or be dyntis of domes vntrewe.
b
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)2326 : Yff it like your Aliegiaunce, þat I, your lefe son, Be sent from your seluon with sure men of Armys [etc.].
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)8909 : His alligiaunce lelly I will loute to.