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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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13y ago

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