Holders of land under the feudal system, for which they have to pay homage and show allegiance.
Vassals
Fact of the Day
In France around the year 1000, a pale complexion, squeamishness and vegetarianism were all signs of heresy.
Quote of the Day
"To ravage, to slaughter, to usurp under false titles, they call empire; and where they make a desert, they call it peace
"
~ Tacitus
On This Day
1461 Edward of York won a decisive victory over the Lancastrian forces of Henry VI at the Battle of Towton, leaving the way open for his coronation as King Edward IV.
1912 Captain Scott made his final diary entry from the Antarctic.
1936 Adolf Hitler received 99% of the votes in a referendum to ratify Germany's illegal military reoccupation of the Rhineland.
1974 NASA's Mariner 10 became the first spacecraft to fly by the planet Mercury.
1979 The US Committee on Assassinations Report concluded that the assassination of John F. Kennedy was the result of a conspiracy.
1981 Around 7,000 people ran the first ever London Marathon.