ALLEGIANCE

ALLEGIANCE, the legal Faith and Obedience, which every Subject bears to his Prince. See KING, FEALTY, &c.This was anciently called Ligence; from the Latin Ligare, and Alligare, to bind, q.v. Ligamen fidei. See LIGAMEN.Oath of Allegiance, is an Oath given in England to the King, in quality of a Temporal Prince or Sovereign; to distinguish it from the Oath given to him as Primate, or supreme Head of the Church, which is called the Oath of Supremacy. See OATH; see also KING, and SUPREMACY.In this Sense, the Word Allegiance comes from the Latin ad Legem.—The Quakers are dispensed with not taking the Oath of Allegiance; and in lieu thereof are only enjoined a Declaration. See DECLARATION.

ALLEGIANCE