vassals

Sworn land workers

Vassals is the plural of vassal, a person who held land from a feudal lord in exchange for homage and service.

The vassal owed loyalty and often military support to their lord, who in turn provided protection.

More broadly, vassal describes anyone in a subordinate or dependent position: The smaller nations became vassals of the empire.

A vassal state is a country controlled by another.

feudal

lord

Nobleman or ruler

fiefGranted feudal estate
fealtyPledged devotion to authority
homageExpression of deep respect

liege · manor · serfdom · nobility · oath · tenure · allegiance · landholding · knight · peasant

political

ally

Supportive partner

protectorateGuarded semi-autonomous territory
spherePerfectly round solid
bufferProtective intermediate space

dependency · sovereignty · autonomy · overlord · empire · dominance · hegemony · tribute · annexation · suzerainty

subjugation

subordinate

One lower in rank

dependentRequiring outside support
subjectMatter under discussion
servantOne employed to serve

underling · minion · submission · obedience · loyalty · bondage · dominion · oppression · hierarchy · inferior

Categories

medievalknights, castles, cathedral, kings, queens
Medieval Eraknights, Middle Ages, castles, feudal lords, medieval period
Medieval Europekings, queens, knights, castles, castle
medieval lifechivalry, royal courts, jousting, knighthood, falconry
medieval societyserfs, noble lineage, peasants, serf, heir
Middle AgesMiddle Ages, medieval period, castles, knights, Dark Ages

Opposites

feudal hierarchy

vassalslords

Men of high rank

liege lords · overlords · suzerains · masters · sovereigns

power and autonomy

vassalssovereigns

Supreme rulers of nations

rulers · masters · hegemons · potentates · emperors

Phrases

lords and vassalsMedieval social tiers
vassal statesTerritories subordinate to overlords

Family

vassal, vassalage

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