Vassalage was a system in medieval Europe where a noble, known as a vassal, pledged loyalty and service to a more powerful lord in exchange for land and protection. This relationship was formalized through a ceremony called homage, where the vassal would swear an oath of fealty, promising to support the lord in times of war and to manage the land responsibly. In return, the lord granted the vassal a portion of land, known as a fief, which the vassal could govern and profit from. This system was a key part of the feudal structure, influencing social and political dynamics during the Middle Ages.