Definition

1. Noun (History):
   • Vassal: A ruler or state that holds a subordinate position and owes allegiance and service to a more powerful sovereign or empire, often in exchange for protection or the right to rule a territory.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Nhiều quốc gia nhỏ trở thành phiên thần của đế chế hùng mạnh. (Many small states became vassals of the powerful empire.)
  • Vị vua đó bắt buộc phải triều cống như một phiên thần. (That king was compelled to pay tribute as a vassal.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is primarily used in historical contexts, especially regarding the feudal systems and tributary relationships in East Asian history, such as in Imperial China or feudal Vietnam.
• It describes a specific political and hierarchical relationship, not merely a subordinate ally.

Variants and Related Words

• Chư hầu (n): Another term for vassal or feudatory, often used similarly in historical contexts.
  • Vùng đất đó được cai quản bởi một chư hầu. (That land was governed by a feudatory.)

Synonyms

• Tributary state: A state that is subordinate to another and pays tribute.
• Feudatory: A person or state holding lands under feudal obligations.
• Subordinate ruler: A leader whose power is secondary to a superior authority.

Related Concepts

• Triều cống (v): To pay tribute. This was a key obligation of a .
  • Nhiệm vụ chính của phiên thần là phải triều cống đều đặn. (The main duty of a vassal was to pay tribute regularly.)
• Chủ quyền (n): Sovereignty. A typically surrendered full sovereignty to the suzerain.
  • Phiên thần phải thừa nhận chủ quyền của hoàng đế. (The vassal had to acknowledge the emperor's sovereignty.)

1. (sử học) Vassal