As the system developed in the seventh century , the vassals were gangs of freemen who voluntarily subjected themselves , in some varying degree of formality , to the authority of a leader , from whose distribution of loot they could expect to be fed , clothed and armed .

As the system developed in the seventh century , the vassals were gangs of freemen who subjected themselves , in some degree of formality , to the authority of a leader , from whom they could expect to be fed , clothed and armed .
