Note 388 — Chapter XI · MALCOLM THE FOURTH—A.D. 1153–1165.

Hoveden and Chron. Mel. 1158–59. The question was probably about the nature of the homage rendered for Huntingdon, whether liege or simple. Liege homage, which was the tenure by which the English kings held their duchy of Guyenne—as Edward the Third admitted after some demur (Fœd. vol. 2, pt. 2, p. 765, 797, 813)—carried with it the obligation of liege service. The service of Malcolm, and subsequently of William, in the armies of Henry, established the fact that they held Huntingdon by liege homage; and the obligation of service was subsequently evaded by sub-infeoffing the fief, which imposed this duty upon the Vavassor, or tenant of the Holder in Chief.