Legal Definitions - achieve

Definition: To do homage upon the taking of a fee or fief.

Example: In medieval times, when a lord granted a piece of land to a vassal, the vassal would achieve the land by performing a ceremony of homage and swearing loyalty to the lord.

Explanation: The term "achieve" was used in feudal times to describe the act of a vassal formally accepting a piece of land from a lord. This involved a ceremony of homage, in which the vassal would kneel before the lord, place his hands between the lord's hands, and swear an oath of loyalty. This act of achieving the land was an important part of the feudal system, as it established the relationship between lord and vassal and ensured that the vassal would be loyal and obedient to the lord.