noun a person or country in a subordinate position to a superior ruler or overlord
In military contexts, vassals were often required to provide military service to their overlords in times of war.
The concept of vassalage has been used in political discourse to describe relationships of dependency and loyalty between states or entities.
Vassals played a crucial role in medieval European society, serving as warriors and administrators for their feudal lords.
Vassalage had economic implications, as vassals were often granted land in exchange for their services.
In feudal systems, a vassal is a person who has entered into a mutual obligation to a lord or monarch in exchange for protection and land.
In historical fiction novels, the term 'vassal' may be used to describe a character who swears loyalty to a lord or noble in exchange for protection and land.
In psychology, the term 'vassal' may be used metaphorically to describe a person who is subordinate to another individual or entity, often in the context of power dynamics or relationships.
Historians may use the term 'vassal' to refer to a person who held land from a feudal lord and pledged loyalty and service in return.
Political scientists may use the term 'vassal state' to describe a country that is economically or politically dependent on a more powerful nation.