of, relating to, or characteristic of a vassal. Definition. The term 'vassal' originated with the emergence of feudalism during the Medieval era of the Middle Ages - not to be confused with a 'villein' who was a peasant. The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition In feudal society, a vassal was a man who gave military service to a lord, in return for which he was protected by the lord and received land to live on. If the vassal broke this contract, the lord would have to get the approval of a court made up of the vassal’s peers before he could proceed to a punishment, such as depriving the vassal of his fief (forfeiture). See more. Why Do We Say “Beware The Ides Of March”? Omissions? 10/07/2008. Certain vassals who held their fiefs directly from the crown were tenants in chief and formed the most important feudal group, the barons. Think you know your hyphens from your en dashes? Vassal definition, (in the feudal system) a person granted the use of land, in return for rendering homage, fealty, and usually military service or its equivalent to a lord or other superior; feudal tenant. When a vassal died, his heir was required to publicly renew his oath of faithfulness (fealty) to his lord (suzerain). Under feudalism, a subordinate who placed himself in service to a lord in return for the lord's protection. “Affect” vs. “Effect”: Use The Correct Word Every Time, 600 New Words And Definitions: The Latest Updates To Dictionary.com. The lord of the manors are described as … Vassals in the Middle Ages The term 'vassal' originated with the emergence of feudalism during the Medieval era of the Middle Ages - not to be confused with a 'villein' who was a peasant. Cereals remained the most important staple during the early Middle Ages as rice was introduced late, and the potato was only introduced in 1536, with a much later date for widespread consumption. (in the feudal system) a person granted the use of land, in return for rendering homage, fealty, and usually military service or its equivalent to a lord or other superior; feudal tenant. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). I loved you from the first—not like a vassal either—and will always love you. A vassal or liege subject is a person regarded as having a mutual obligation to a lord or monarch, in the context of the feudal system in medieval Europe. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Vassals also acquired the right to alienate their fiefs, with the proviso, first, of the lord’s consent and, later, on payment of a certain tax. Level. Learn more. This was called a commendation ceremony. There were female vassals as well; their husbands fulfilled their wives’ services. Updates? English Language Learners Definition of vassal : a person in the past who received protection and land from a lord in return for loyalty and service See the full definition for vassal in the English Language … The lord also gave him the piece of land that he held as a fief. He was also required to advise his lord and pay him the traditional feudal aids required on the knighting of the lord's eldest son, the marriage of the lord's eldest daughter, and the ransoming of the lord should he be held captive. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. The vassal pays homage to the lord Oath of Fealty - Swearing an Oath Middle Ages Feudalism was based on the exchange of land for military service. Vassal. Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012. Definition of vassal noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. 1. countable noun. This public oath was called "homage". vassal noun /ˈvæsl/ /ˈvæsl/ jump to other results. 27. 1300–50; Middle English Postal Vote Application Form, Will You Be My Valentine In Spanish, Toys R''us Capitaland Mall, Vodka Gift Sets Sainsbury's, How To Set Stop Loss On Mt4, Cayan Business Center,