1. to grant a portion of a feudal estate to a subordinate vassal
Usage: historical; legal

Examples

• The lord decided to subinfeudate part of his manor to a trusted knight.
• Medieval nobles often chose to subinfeudate their lands rather than manage them directly.
• The practice to subinfeudate created complex chains of feudal obligation.
• Kings sometimes prohibited vassals from subinfeudating without royal permission.
• The baron's decision to subinfeudate his holdings led to disputes over loyalty.
• Legal documents from the period show how landowners would subinfeudate their estates.