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Simple English definitions for legal terms
black ward
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A quick definition of black ward:
Term: BLACK WARD
Definition: In the past, a black ward was a person who was a subvassal or a vassal of the king's vassal. This means that they were a lower-ranking noble who owed loyalty and service to a higher-ranking noble who, in turn, owed loyalty and service to the king.
Basically, it was a way of organizing society and power in medieval times. Think of it like a chain of command, where everyone had someone they answered to. The black ward was just one link in that chain.
A more thorough explanation:
Definition: A black ward is a subvassal, which means they are a vassal of the king's vassal.
Example: If the king has a vassal who owns land, that vassal may have a black ward who is a vassal to them. The black ward would owe loyalty and service to their vassal, who in turn owes loyalty and service to the king.
Explanation: The example illustrates the definition by showing how a black ward fits into the feudal system. They are a lower level of vassal, owing loyalty and service to their immediate superior, who in turn owes loyalty and service to their superior, and so on up the chain to the king. This system helped maintain order and stability in medieval Europe.