Definition of vassal

vassalnoun

chư hầu

/ˈvæsl//ˈvæsl/

The word "vassal" originates from the Old French word "vasel" or "vasal," which can be traced back to the Latin word "vassus," meaning "servant" or "slave." In feudal times, during the Middle Ages in Europe, a vassal was a person who swore allegiance and an oath of fealty to a lord or king in exchange for land that the lord granted them as a fief. The relationship between the two was based on a system of feudalism where lords held power over the lands and the people who lived on them. The vassal had certain obligations, such as providing military service and paying taxes, to their lord, and in return, the lord provided protection and support. This bond between the two parties was established through a written document called a "liege homage" or "oath of fealty," further solidifying the vassal's loyalty to their lord.

namespace

a man in the Middle Ages who promised to fight for and show support for a king or other powerful owner of land, in return for being given land to live on

một người đàn ông ở thời Trung cổ đã hứa sẽ chiến đấu và thể hiện sự ủng hộ đối với một vị vua hoặc một chủ sở hữu đất đai quyền lực khác, để đổi lấy việc được trao đất để sinh sống

a country that depends on and is controlled by another country

một quốc gia phụ thuộc và được kiểm soát bởi một quốc gia khác

Example:
  • a vassal state

    một nước chư hầu

Related words and phrases