To the magnificent lord so-and-so, I so-and-so. Since everyone well knows how little I have with which to feed and clothe myself, I have therefore appealed to your charity, and you have been willing to allow me to hand myself over or commend myself to your protection. This I have done on these conditions: You are to aid and support me with food and clothing, insofar as I shall be able to serve you and deserve well of you. As long as I shall live, I am bound to give you service and obedience consistent with my status as a free man. For the rest of my life I shall have no power to withdraw from your lordship and protection, but all the days of my life I must remain under your power and defense. Therefore it is agreed that if one of us tries to withdraw from these agreements, he shall pay so many shillings to the other party, and the contract shall remain in force. (Strayer, Feudalism, 81)
... On Thursday, homages were again done to the count. First, they did homage in this way. The count asked [the vassal] if he wished to become his man without reserve, and the latter answered: "I do." Then joining his hands together, he placed them in the hands of the count, and they bound themselves together by a kiss. In the second place, the man who had just done homage pledged fidelity ... to the count in these words: "I promise on my faith to be faithful from now on to count William [Clito of Flanders] and to observe [the obligations of] my homage completely, in good faith, and without deceit, against all men," and this he swore on the relics of the saints. ... Finally, with a little stick which he held in his hand, the count gave investiture [of fiefs] to all those who had ... promised security, done homage, and taken the oath. (Strayer, Feudalism, 122)