The Vassal reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004 (provided by Fixed Reference: snapshots of Wikipedia from wikipedia.org)

Vassal

A vassal, in Euro-centric mediaeval terminology, through homage and fealty became a dependent on or a partisan of a lord. A bondman; one who holds land of a superior, and who vows fidelity and homage to him; a feudatory; a feudal tenant. --Burrill.

A subject or servant; one who is dependent upon or enslaved to another.

"The vassals of his anger."--Milton.

Resembling a slave or subordinate

"The sun and every vassal star." --Keble.

One who is subject to the command of his Lord or superior .

Types of vassal:

• vavasour

See also:

• gokenin (vassals of the shogunate in Japan)

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