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What is a person under the protection of a feudal lord to whom he has vowed homage and fealty?
Fief
Lord
Knight
Vassal
Vassal
A person under the protection of a feudal lord, to whom he has vowed homage and fealty, is called a vassal.
A person under the protection of a feudal lord to whom they have vowed homage and fealty is known as a vassal. A vassal is an individual who holds land, known as a fief, granted to them by a lord in exchange for their loyalty, military service, and other obligations.
To understand this concept, it is helpful to grasp the feudal system, which was prevalent during the Middle Ages. In this system, the king or a powerful lord owned most of the land. They would grant portions of their land to vassals, who in turn would provide their services and loyalty. Vassals were typically knights or nobles, and by accepting the fief, they became vassals of the lord.
In return for the fief, the vassal pledged their loyalty to the lord, a relationship known as homage. Homage involved a symbolic act where the vassal would kneel before the lord, place their hands between their lord's hands, and declare their loyalty. Additionally, the vassal would pledge fealty, which was a promise to serve the lord, typically through military service when required.
Therefore, in short, a person under the protection of a feudal lord to whom they have vowed homage and fealty is known as a vassal.