Vassals and Serfs

[5freemen]

What is the difference between a vassal and a serf?

[Octavius]

In the feudal system, to protect themselves the people built castles for their leaders. Around the castles were high walls. Usually a moat was built around the outside of the castle, and nearby was farmland. Peasants, called serfs, worked the farms. They gave a share of their produce to their leader, who was called the lord. In return the peasants were given protection within the walls in case of attack. For defence of the castle, the lord hired professional soldiers, called vassals or knights. In return for defending the castle, the vassals and knights were given a place to live and food to eat.

The vassals and knights were often known as the 'lesser lords', and serfs were peasant farmers.

[5freemen]

Brilliant. Thank you. I never knew a vassal was a professional soldier. Presumably a vassel could be promoted to be a knight and then use the title of Sir. Who could bestow this honour - just the monarch as it is today or could a lord appoint his own knights?

[paddywak]

A vassal was a person who held land from someone of higher rank. In return the vassal was liable for certain duties, often of a military nature. a serf on the other hand was virtually a slave,tied to his lords land having almost no rights other then what his "Lord" granted him

[VHG]

More here

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vassal

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serfdom

"serf" sounds like another name for "slave"

[Octavius]

And here.....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feudalism#Lords.2 C_vassals_and_fiefs