Legal Definitions - leodes

Definition: Leodes (lee-oh-deez) is a term from Law Latin that has historical significance. It has three meanings:

1. A vassal
2. Service to be provided to another
3. Compensation to be paid by one who killed or seriously injured a vassal, divided among the sovereign, the vassal's lord, and the vassal's next of kin; WERGILD.

Examples:

• A knight who served a lord was considered a leodes.
• A leodes was required to provide military service to their lord.
• If a leodes was killed or seriously injured, the person responsible would have to pay compensation to the sovereign, the vassal's lord, and the vassal's next of kin.

The examples illustrate the different meanings of the term leodes. The first example shows that a leodes was a vassal, which means they were a person who held land from a lord and owed them loyalty and military service. The second example shows that a leodes was required to provide service to their lord, which was a common obligation of vassals. The third example shows that a leodes had legal protection, and if they were harmed, the person responsible would have to pay compensation to different parties.