Obs. Also 5–6 feod(e)man. [f. FEED ppl. a. + MAN.] a. One holding a FEE (sb.2); a vassal. b. A soldier serving for pay.
c. 1460. Fortescue, Abs. & Lim. Mon., xvii. He shall haue than a greter myght, and a garde off his officers, when he liste to call thaym, than he hath nowe off all his oþer ffeed men vndre the astate off lordes.
1465. Paston Lett., No. 532. II. 248. Doo warne owr ffeede men and servaunts … that they be ther thann in owr leverey.
1485. Plumpton Corr., p. xcvi. With 38 Knyghts of his feedmen.
1555. Bradforth, in Strype, Eccl. Mem., III. App. xlv. 131. Lettres touching my Lord Pagette, that he shoulde be the Kinges feode man.
1565. Jewel, Def. Apol. (1611), 476. The Emperour is a Vassall or a Feedman of the Church of Rome.
1722. Bp. Wilson, in Keble, Life, xv. (1863), 484. With … intention of lessening the Governor’s authority … over the Feedmen in the Garrisons.
