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A turncoat is a person who shifts allegiance from one loyalty or ideal to another, betraying or deserting an original cause by switching to the opposing side or party. In political and social history, this is distinct from being a traitor, as the switch mostly takes place under the following circumstances: *In groups, often driven by one or more leaders. *When the goal that formerly motivated and benefited the person becomes (or is perceived as having become) either no longer feasible or too costly even if success is achieved. ==Historical context== Even in a modern historical context "turncoat" is often synonymous with the term "renegade", a term of religious origins having its origins in the Latin word ''"renegare"'' (to deny). Historical currents of great magnitude have periodically caught masses of people, along with their leaders, in their wake. In such a dire situation new perspectives on past actions are laid bare and the question of personal treason becomes muddled. One example would be the situation that led to the Act of Abjuration or ''Plakkaat van Verlatinghe'', signed on July 26, 1581 in the Netherlands, an instance where changing sides was given a positive meaning. The first written use of the term meaning was by J. Foxe in ''Actes & Monumentes'' in 1570: "One who changes his principles or party; a renegade; an apostate." Cited 1571 *〔The Oxford English Dictionary "turncoat, n. and adj." cites "John Foxe · The first volume of the ecclesiasticall history contaynyng the actes and monumentes of thynges passed..in this realme · Rev. ed., 1570 (2 vols.)."〕 "Turncoat" could also have a more literal origin. According to the Rotuli Chartarum 1199–1216 two barons changed fealty from William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke,〔David Crouch. 2002. William Marshal. Knighthood, War and Chivalry, 1147–1219. Longman. London〕 to King John. In other words, they turned their coats (of arms) from one lord to another, hence turncoat. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「turncoat」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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