Thuringia - Sachsen Schwarzburg Rudolstadt – Fürstentum
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Huldigung translates into English as oath of allegiance. During
feudal times when German lords governed over their people in a
mixture between arbitrary action and patriarchal hegemony, the
oath of allegiance on the part of the subservient population was
of utmost importance. Perfidy was one of the greatest crimes and
was punishable. Therefore, the expostulation of loyalty, faith,
honor and morals served as a constant spur among the community
members. When a new manor lord was installed, he required of his
subjects “Land und Erbhuldigung”. With such an oath the lordship
made sure of recognition and willing subordination. The oath was
to be “treu, hold und gewärtig zu sein“. This kind of oath stems
from the feudal law (Lehnsrecht). He who was in a relationship
of dependence was obligated to swear an oath of allegiance. That
concerned almost everybody. Huldigung was as important as any
act of st