Definition

1. Noun (Historical):
   • Fief; seigneurial land: A territory or estate granted by a sovereign (such as a king or emperor) to a vassal (a lord or noble) in exchange for loyalty and service, especially military service. This was a core institution of the feudal system.
   • Manor; lordship: The land, property, and authority associated with a feudal lord.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Vị tướng được nhà vua ban cho một vùng lãnh đại rộng lớn. (The general was granted a large fief by the king.)
  • Cuộc sống của nông dân trên lãnh đại hoàn toàn phụ thuộc vào lãnh chúa. (The lives of peasants on the manor were completely dependent on the lord.)

Advanced Usage

• The term "lãnh đại" is almost exclusively used in historical contexts to describe the socio-political and landholding structures of feudal periods, such as in medieval Europe or feudal Vietnam.
• It implies a hierarchical relationship of obligation and protection between the lord of the "lãnh đại" and his superiors and inferiors.

Variants and Related Words

• Lãnh chúa (n): Feudal lord; the ruler of a lãnh đại.

  • Lãnh chúa cai quản lãnh đại của mình một cách độc lập. (The feudal lord ruled his fief independently.)

• Địa chủ (n): Landlord (typically in a later, non-feudal context). While both own land, "địa chủ" does not carry the same connotation of feudal vassalage as "lãnh đại."

Synonyms

• Fiefdom: The estate or domain of a feudal lord.
• Manor: The house and lands of a lord.
• Seigneury: The authority, territory, or manor of a feudal lord.

Related Concepts

• Chế độ phong kiến: The feudal system.
• Chư hầu: Vassal; a holder of land by feudal tenure on conditions of homage and allegiance.
• Nông nô: Serf; a laborer bound under the feudal system to work on his lord's estate.