Vassalage was a system in medieval Europe where a noble, known as a vassal, pledged loyalty and service to a more powerful lord, often in exchange for land or protection. This relationship was formalized through a ceremony called homage, where the vassal would swear fealty to the lord, promising to support him in times of war and peace. In return, the lord granted the vassal a portion of his land, known as a fief. This arrangement created a hierarchy of power and obligations, forming the backbone of the feudal system that characterized much of medieval society.