vasalli

Vasalli is a term with historical significance, primarily referring to a class of people in feudal societies who held land from a lord. These individuals were bound by a system of mutual obligations. The vasallus, or vassal, owed military service, counsel, and financial aid to their lord in exchange for land tenure, known as a fief or feudum. This relationship was formalized through a ceremony called homage, where the vassal pledged fealty. While often depicted as unfree, the status of a vassal could vary. Some were powerful nobles, while others were lesser landowners. The concept of vassalage was central to the political and military structure of medieval Europe. Over time, the strictness of these obligations evolved, and the term eventually lost its direct feudal meaning, though echoes of the hierarchical landholding system persisted in various forms. In some contexts, "vasallo" can also refer to a servant or subordinate, but its primary historical association is with feudal land tenure.