after either a lord or vassal passed away, what typically happened to the fief?
When either a lord or vassal passed away, the fate of the fief would depend on the specific circumstances and the prevailing feudal customs and laws of the time. Here are a few possible scenarios:
1. Inheritance: If the lord or vassal had a legitimate heir, usually their child or closest male relative, the fief would typically pass on to them. In many feudal societies, the principle of primogeniture was followed, which meant that the eldest son would inherit the entire fief. However, in some cases, the fief could be divided among multiple heirs, which could lead to the fragmentation of the fiefdom.
2. Reversion to the lord: If the deceased lord or vassal did not have a direct heir or if their heir was underage or deemed unfit to rule, the fief could revert back to the lord or liege lord. In this situation, the lord would have the power to grant the fief to another eligible candidate or retain it for themselves.
3. Granting of the fief by the liege lord: In some cases, the liege lord, who was higher in the feudal hierarchy, could decide to exercise their authority and grant the fief to a new lord or vassal of their choosing. This could happen if the previous lord had fallen out of favor, was disloyal, or if the liege lord had personal or political motivations to appoint a new individual.
4. Dispute or warfare: The death of a lord or vassal could sometimes lead to disputes or conflicts over the ownership and control of the fief. Rival claimants, either among the family members or neighboring nobles, might contest the inheritance, leading to legal battles or armed conflicts. The ultimate resolution would depend on the strength of the claimants, the support they garnered, and the intervention or mediation by the broader feudal society or higher-ranking nobles.
It is important to note that the specifics of what happened to a fief after a lord's or vassal's death varied across different regions and historical periods. Feudalism was not uniform, and the customs, laws, and practices associated with it evolved over time.