In rendering fealty and homage, the seigneur declared himself a vassal of the King, that is, his faithful servant, and acknowledged that he held his land through royal power. On the same occasion, he presented the deeds of ownership for the fief or fiefs in his possession. In France as in New France, certain symbolic acts survived from the Middle Ages: the hommage-lige marked the vassal's strongest bond of allegiance. It was rendered unarmed, on bended knee, with joined hands placed in those of the king's representative, and was accompanied by an oath on the Gospels.