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What does vassal mean?

Updated: 8/23/2023
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12y ago

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The Anglo-Norman word vassal can mean simply a servant, a good, worthy man, a soldier, a fellow.

Its main meaning is anyone at any level who owes allegance to someone else of superior rank - an earl would be the vassal of a king, a baron would be the vassal of an earl, a poor knight would be the vassal of a baron and so would his farming serfs. Each of these would also be a tenant of the person above him, "holding" land in return for services or rent.

In this sense, a vassal is someone subordinate in rank who is legally obligated to someone above him in the feudal system.

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12y ago
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12y ago

A vassal was a lowly worker, in the days of kings and their castles, with moats and large castle keeps.

The vassals gained some personal benefits from the lord of the castle, consisting of some part of an estate from which he could acquire income from the serfs occupying it. In exchange for his benefits, he was required to pledge allegiance and loyalty to the lord.

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