Luciano Anastasi
Fealty: Love, Loyalty, and Choice in Feudalism by Jeb Smith

Fealty in the medieval period was a voluntary and deeply personal bond between lords and vassals, rooted in loyalty, love, and mutual benefit. Unlike modern governance, which is often impersonal and obligatory, feudal bonds reflected a society where relationships were based on choice and reciprocal obligations. Peasants and vassals selected lords who could provide protection, opportunities, and regional stability, creating a dynamic and decentralized system. Kings and lords alike depended on the loyalty of their people, often bound by oaths and mutual affection stronger than kinship ties. This personal nature of fealty shaped medieval social structures, blending autonomy with shared responsibility.

https://historymedieval.com/fealty-l...-in-feudalism/