The concept of rule during the 14th century was deeply personal, rooted in the relationship between a landowner and their vassal. This bond was characterized not by a citizen's loyalty to a state but by a vassal's oath of loyalty to a lord, which formed the foundation of the political structure of the time. Such relationships emphasized feudal allegiances over abstract notions of citizenship.

This framework underscored the importance of personal connections in governance, where loyalty and duty were directed towards individuals rather than institutions. As a result, political authority was closely tied to land ownership and personal fealty, reflecting a society organized around familial ties and local power dynamics.