ligealty

Allegiance. The fundamental principle of the common law with regard to English nationality was birth within the allegiance, also called "ligealty," "obedience," "faith," or "power," of the king. The principle embraced all persons born within the king's allegiance, and subject to his protection. United States v Wong Kim Ark, 169 US 649, 655, 42 L Ed 890, 893, 18 S Ct 456.