1910–1911
Britannica 11th
Encyclopaedia Britannica · 11th edition
VASSAL (Fr. vassal, vassaut, vassault, &c.), the tenant and follower of a feudal lord (see FEUDALISM). The etymology of the word has been a matter of considerable dispute. The late Henri de Tourville, in his Histoire de la formation particulariste, maintained that vassal is derived from the German Cast, a guest, meaning an outsider to whom a portion of a free domain was assigned in return for rent and certain fixed services. This derivation has a somewhat fantastic air, and seems to have been framed to suit an hypo…
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- Vol. 27, pp. 946-946