Ligeance

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Ligeance \Li"geance\ (l[=e]"jans), n. [OF. ligeance, ligance.
   See {Liege}.] (O. Eng. Law)
   The connection between sovereign and subject by which they
   were mutually bound, the former to protection and the
   securing of justice, the latter to faithful service;
   allegiance. [Written also {ligeancy} and {liegance}.]
   --Chaucer.
   [1913 Webster]

from Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)

LIGEANCE. The true and faithful obedience of a subject to his sovereign, of 
a citizen to his government. It signifies also the territory of a sovereign. 
See Allegiance.