Definition

1. Noun:
   • The condition or status of being a vassal: This refers to the state of being a person who holds land from a superior lord and owes them loyalty and service in return.
   • The homage, service, or obligations owed by a vassal to a lord: This meaning focuses on the duties and services required by the feudal relationship.
   • A collective term for vassals: Refers to vassals as a group.
   • A state of subordination or dependence: A more general sense of being in a subordinate or servile position.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The knight entered into vassalage, swearing fealty to the king in exchange for the fief.
  • The heavy burdens of vassalage included military service and a portion of the harvest.
  • The king summoned his vassalage to defend the realm.
  • The small nation was reduced to a state of political vassalage by its powerful neighbor.

Advanced Usage

• "To hold in vassalage": To keep someone or something in a subordinate or dependent state.
  • The empire held many conquered territories in vassalage for centuries.

Variants and Related Words

• Vassal (n): A person who has entered into a mutual obligation to a lord or monarch in the context of the feudal system.
  • The baron was a vassal of the crown.
• Fealty (n): A feudal tenant's or vassal's sworn loyalty to a lord.
  • He swore an oath of fealty.

Synonyms

• Serfdom: The state of being a serf, a laborer bound under the feudal system to work on his lord's estate.
• Subjugation: The action of bringing someone or something under domination or control.
• Servitude: The state of being a slave or completely subject to someone more powerful.

Related Phrases

• To pledge vassalage: To formally commit to the obligations of a vassal.
  • The defeated chieftain was forced to pledge vassalage to the conquering king.
• To live in vassalage: To exist in a state of feudal or metaphorical dependence.
  • They refused to live in vassalage and fought for their independence.

Noun

1. the state of a serf