Fidelis

Lat. [pi. fideles; from fides, fmih; L. Fr. feal, foialL] In olJ European law. Faithful; trusty. Fideles in Christo; the faithful in Christ, or Christia;is. Spelman, voc.

Fideles.

Old instruments frequently commence with the words, Omnibus in Christo fidelibus; to all the faithful in Christ. Ftdeies regis; the subjects of a king or prince. Hence writs, commissions, <&c., were formerly addressed by the sovereign in England, dilecto et fideli suo, dilectis et fidelibus suis; to his beloved and faithful. Heg. Orig. passim. A feudal tenant, or vassal, as bound to be faithful, or to bear faith (fidem ferre,) to his lord.

Spelman.

Applied originally to the comites, the attached or devoted followers of the chiefs among the ancient Germans.

1 Robertson's Charles V., Appendix, Note viii.