In
law,
treason is the
crime that covers some of the more extreme acts against one's
sovereign or
nation. Historically, treason also covered the murder of specific social superiors, such as the murder of a husband by his wife or that of a master by his servant. Treason against the king was known as
high treason and treason against a lesser superior was
petty treason. A person who commits treason is known in law as a
traitor.