A lord held a prominent position within the feudal Empire, a member of the ruling class who answered to the Emperor while governing a clan. Though initially a powerful and unified entity, the Empire's strength diminished following centuries of infighting among the lords, each vying for greater control over their clans and local regions. These lords were attended by retainers, encompassing both soldiers and Jedi knights, bound by oath to serve their lords, even to the point of honorable death in the conflicts that arose between them. During the Sith rebellion, former Jedi united to become the Sith, under the leadership of the dark lord and the Sith witch. Numerous lords then created new alliances to stand against the Sith. In the aftermath of the failed rebellion, certain Jedi knights were promoted to the status of Jedi lord to govern Jedi clans.