vassal

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a person holding a fief

   The vassal owed service to his lord.

2. 2
   noun

   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.

   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.

3. 3
   noun

   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.

4. 4
   noun

   Any subordinate bound by similar close ties.

   The vassals of his anger.

From Middle English vassal, from Old French vassal, from Medieval Latin vassallus (“manservant, domestic, retainer”), from Latin vassus (“servant”), from Gaulish *wassos (“young man, squire”), from Proto-Celtic *wastos (“servant”) (compare Old Irish foss and Welsh gwas).

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