False statement by European dismissing king's old servant (8)

I believe the answer is:

liegeman

'old servant' is the definition.
(historical type of feudal servant)

I don't understand the rest of the clue.

(Other definitions for liegeman that I've seen before include "A loyal person" , "Vassal, subject" , "Loyal follower" , "Person serving lord" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

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