Lehnsmann

The vassal ( vassals, Lehnsnehmer; fief ) was in the Middle Ages, a nobleman who is another nobleman, his liege lord, committed to service, Ehrschatz and loyalty and in return for a piece of land ( fief ), together with the fact living population, an open house or public official received. Differences were doing the donation ( this was only for life) and the hereditary hereditary fief.

The economic situation of the vassals was subject to strong fluctuations. Depicts the life of a Lehnsmanns to the early 16th century Ulrich von Hutten ( 1488-1523 ) in a letter to Willibald Pirckheimer ( 1470-1530 ):

By Ulrich von Hutten originate not only descriptions of the feudal system, but also numerous criticisms of the medieval nobility, clergy, and science. Finally, the discontented knighthood under Franz von SICKINGEN (1481-1523) and Ulrich von Hutten in so-called Knights War (1522-1523) rose. Both support Martin Luther. SICKINGEN was mortally wounded in the fight against the Archbishopric of Trier. Even von Hutten died a year later in Switzerland. The kingdom knighthood lost its political importance final. Not until 1848 was also the official abolition of the feudal system. In the Walhalla near Donaustauf Ulrich von Hutten and Franz were honored by SICKINGEN with busts.