What term refers to land granted to a vassal in exchange for loyalty?

The term that refers to land granted to a vassal in exchange for loyalty is "fief." In the feudal system, a fief was typically a parcel of land or property that a lord would give to a vassal. This arrangement established a reciprocal relationship where the vassal pledged loyalty and service to the lord in return for the use of the land. The significance of a fief extends beyond just the physical land; it also encompasses the obligations and privileges that come with it, forming the basis of the feudal hierarchy and relationships during the medieval period.

Vassalage, while related, refers more broadly to the status of being a vassal and the feudal relationship itself rather than the specific land granted. Barony denotes a larger territorial unit that could encompass multiple fiefs and is often associated with a system of nobility. Manor describes a specific estate where a lord and their vassals lived, including the land they managed, but does not capture the contractual nature of the relationship of loyalty and provision as well as "fief" does.