subvassal
English edit
Etymology edit
From sub- + vassal. Compare earlier subvavasour.
Noun edit
subvassal (plural subvassals)
- (historical) The vassal of a vassal. [from 15th c.]
- 2016, Peter H. Wilson, The Holy Roman Empire, Penguin, published 2017, page 329:
- A Carolingian capitulary of 799 allowed the church to assign its property as benefices to lay subvassals to circumvent the canon law restriction on clergy serving as warriors.