Both Uses of
vassal
in
All's Well That Ends Well, by Shakespeare
- Pardon, madam; The Count Rousillon cannot be my brother: I am from humble, he from honour'd name; No note upon my parents, his all noble; My master, my dear lord he is; and I His servant live, and will his vassal die: He must not be my brother.†
Scene 1.3 *
- Then shalt thou give me, with thy kingly hand What husband in thy power I will command: Exempted be from me the arrogance To choose from forth the royal blood of France, My low and humble name to propagate With any branch or image of thy state: But such a one, thy vassal, whom I know Is free for me to ask, thee to bestow.†
Scene 2.1
Definition:
someone subservient to and dependent upon another -- especially part of the hierarchy in feudal times