Sc. Obs. Also 6 feeall, feall, 7 fiell. [In sense 1 perh. originally a subst. use of next adj., with the sense ‘one who owes fealty’; but it appears to have been interpreted as if f. FEE sb.2 or v. + -AL, and this derivation prob. gave rise to the other senses. Cf. OF. fieal pertaining to a fief (f. fié = fief), and med.L. fealiter (Du Cange) = feodaliter ‘by feudal law.’]
1. a. A feudal tenant, vassal, liegeman. b. A servant ‘feed’ or hired for a term.
a. 1572. Knox, Hist. Ref., Wks. (1846), I. 123. The Cardinallis baner was that day displayed, and all his feeallis war charged to be under it.
c. 1575. Balfour’s Practicks (1754), 127. All tenentis and vassallis, haldand landis of ane Baron, sould swear fidelitie in the time of thair entres, that thay sall be leill fealis to him and his airis.
1662. Spalding, Troub. Chas. I. (1851), II. 280. Ordour wes givin, that the drum sould go throw Aberdene, commanding all prenteissis, seruandis, fiellis not to change their maisteris whill Martymess nixt.
2. The condition of being held in fee.
1478. Acts Lords of Council (1839), 10. Þe persones that has the landis in the Levenax in feale of þe lord Glammys.
1630–56. Sir R. Gordon, Hist. Earls Sutherld. (1813), 253. John Gray of Skibo had the lands of Ardinch in fiall from John … Earle of Sowtherland.
3. A payment due to the lord of the fee; also gen. a periodical payment, stipend, pension.
1543. Sc. Acts Q. Mary (1814), 439/1. To gidder with þe fealis of þe chantorie and denrie of Glasgw … pertenying to þe said lord for his fee.
1581. Sc. Acts Jas. VI. (1814), 245. Exceptand … the gift and feall grantit by ws till … Gilbert Prymrois … for all the dayis of his lyf.
1607. Jas. VI., MS. Let. to Ld. Scone (Jam.). There being a particular yeirlye feall appointed to him for the discharge of the said office.
attrib. 1581. Sc. Acts Jas. VI. (1814), 236. The saidis abbot and convent ar nocht able to pay the feall thride of the said abbay according to the first assumptioun.
