When a medieval lord accepted a grant of land, known as a fief,
from a greater lord he became the vassal of that lord. In exchange
for the fief the vassal took on obligations that could include
military service, hospitality toward the lord and his servants,
attendance of the lords court to provide advice and council, and
serving in the lord's entourage. The lord was expected to provide
protection for his vassals in addition to the land holding. By the
10th century the fief had become inheritable and the obligations of
lord and vassal could be passed between generations.