lords and vassals
Feudal power structure
Lords and vassals describes the hierarchical relationship at the heart of medieval feudalism.
A lord granted land and protection to a vassal, who in turn pledged loyalty, military service, and other obligations.
The same person could be both—a vassal to a king above while serving as lord to knights below.
The phrase now evokes any system of power and dependency: Corporate politics has its own lords and vassals.
- fiefGranted feudal estate
- kingMale crowned ruler
- knighthoodHonorary title of nobility
- feudal JapanPre-modern warrior-ruled archipelago
- baronLow-ranking peer
demesne · homage · pledge allegiance · villeinage · fealty · suzerain · sworn loyalty · oath of fealty · manorialism · chivalric code · serf · allegiance · levy · patronage · Magna Carta · oathbreaking · chivalry · landed nobility
lords and vassalsequals
Matches in value
peers · egalitarian society · classless society · comrades · freemen
lords and vassalsrepublican government
Rule through elected representatives
lord, lords, lordship, lordly, overlord, landlord, vassal, vassals, vassalage