vassal
The grantee of a fief, a subordinate granted use of a superior's land and its income in exchange for vows of fidelity and homage and (typically) military service.
Example
“The manor's vassals owed first fruits and a tithe to the parish church, another 10% to the lord (including at least 50 eels), a week or two each year of service in the manor's upkeep, and service in the local fyrd.”
Other meanings
Any direct subordinate bound by such vows to a superior.
“The king ordered his vassals to join him on the crusade unless they had a written note signed by the archbishop or pope.”
Any subordinate bound by similar close ties.
Related words
- vassalage
- vassalic
- vassaldom
- vassalry
- vassal-in-chief
- vassaless
- envassal
- vassal state
- vassalship
- vassalhood
- vassalize
Word history
From Latin "vassus" (servant).
Where this comes from
This definition is adapted from “vassal” on Wiktionary, by its contributors, published under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page is published under the same licence.