COMMENDATION

n. praise, acclaim; citation

A commendation ceremony (commendatio) is a formal ceremony that evolved during the Early Medieval period to create a bond between a lord and his fighting man, called his vassal (Latin vassus). The first recorded ceremony of commendatio was in 7th century France, but the relationship of vassalage was older, and predated even the medieval formulations of a noble class. The lord's "man" ("vassal" comes from a Celtic word for "boy") might be born unfree, but the commendatio freed him. (See Vassal).
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Noun
1. an official award (as for bravery or service) usually given as formal public statement
(synonym) citation
(hypernym) award, accolade, honor, honour, laurels
(derivation) commend
2. a message expressing a favorable opinion; "words of approval seldom passed his lips"
(synonym) approval
(hypernym) message, content, subject matter, substance
(hyponym) approbation
(derivation) commend

(n.)
The act of commending; praise; favorable representation in words; recommendation.
  

(n.)
That which is the ground of approbation or praise.
  

(n.)
A message of affection or respect; compliments; greeting.
  

A contract for vassalage .