--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The other classes of which society was…" description: "\"The other classes of which society was composed were, first, freemen, owners of small portions of land, independent, though they sometimes voluntarily ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ec/thomas-bulfinch-26269_class_the-other-classes-of-which-society-was-c_320406.jpg" --- # The other classes of which society was composed were… ![“The other classes of which society was composed were, first, freemen, owners of small portions of land, independent, though they sometimes voluntarily became the vassals of their more opulent neighbors, whose power was necessary for their protection.” quote by Thomas Bulfinch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ec/thomas-bulfinch-26269_class_the-other-classes-of-which-society-was-c_320406.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ec/thomas-bulfinch-26269_class_the-other-classes-of-which-society-was-c_320406.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ec/thomas-bulfinch-26269_class_the-other-classes-of-which-society-was-c_320406.jpg) > “The other classes of which society was composed were, first, freemen, owners of small portions of land, independent, though they sometimes voluntarily became the vassals of their more opulent neighbors, whose power was necessary for their protection.” [Thomas Bulfinch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-bulfinch/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Society consisted of free landowners who sometimes became vassals for protection, showing a mix of independence and reliance. **In simple terms:** Free landowners sometimes relied on wealthier neighbors for safety. Key Takeaway Balance independence with strategic alliances. Themes society class structure dependence Mood reflective analytical Type historical sociological When to use this quote - rural communities - historical analysis - political theory Key Concepts feudalism social contracts Questions to Reflect On - How did economic necessity shape social hierarchies? - When does reliance become coercion? A Different Perspective Assumes voluntary vassalage, which may oversimplify power dynamics. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Class](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/class/) [Neighbor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/neighbor/) [Protection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/protection/) ## Related quotes > [the twelve or fifteen millions in the British Empire, who, while they possess no electoral rights, are yet persuaded they are freemen, and who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-cobden/the-twelve-or-fifteen-millions-in-the-british-empire-who-while-they/) [Richard Cobden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-cobden/) > [People become freemen when they realise they do not need a leader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-menard/people-become-freemen-when-they-realise-they-do-not-need-a-leader/) Robert Menard > [“It appears, accordingly, from the experience of all ages and nations, I believe, that the work done by freemen comes cheaper in the end…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-smith/it-appears-accordingly-from-the-experience-of-all-ages-and-nations-i/) [Adam Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-smith/) > [It is asserted by most respectable writers upon our government, that a well-regulated militia, composed of the yeomanry of the country, have ever been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-l-dewitt/it-is-asserted-by-most-respectable-writers-upon-our-government-that-a/) John L. DeWitt > [I believe in human liberty as I believe in the wine of life. There is no salvation for men in the pitiful condescension of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woodrow-wilson/i-believe-in-human-liberty-as-i-believe-in-the-wine-of-life-there-is/) [Woodrow Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woodrow-wilson/) > [To freemen, threats are impotent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/to-freemen-threats-are-impotent/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [Antipater uses us favourably if he looks upon us as staves, but very hardly if he considers us as freemen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xenocrates/antipater-uses-us-favourably-if-he-looks-upon-us-as-staves-but-very/) [Xenocrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xenocrates/) > [It is to the United States that all freemen look for the light and the hope of the world. Unless we dedicate ourselves completely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/omar-n-bradley/it-is-to-the-united-states-that-all-freemen-look-for-the-light-and/) [Omar N. Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/omar-n-bradley/) > [After the Dutch left Indonesia, after the Indonesians got loose in 1945, the freemen were not as widely used, but then they went through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-oppenheimer/after-the-dutch-left-indonesia-after-the-indonesians-got-loose-in/) [Joshua Oppenheimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-oppenheimer/) > [The government of freemen is nobler and implies more virtue than despotic government. Neither is a city to be deemed happy or a legislator…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/the-government-of-freemen-is-nobler-and-implies-more-virtue-than/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [Though the Negroes are fed, clothed, and housed, and though the Irish peasant is starved, naked, and roofless, the bare name of freemen-the lordship…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fanny-kemble/though-the-negroes-are-fed-clothed-and-housed-and-though-the-irish/) [Fanny Kemble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fanny-kemble/) > [Greatness, with private men Esteem'd a blessing, is to me a curse; And we, whom, for our high births, they conclude The happy freemen,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-massinger/greatness-with-private-men-esteem-d-a-blessing-is-to-me-a-curse-and/) [Philip Massinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-massinger/) > [ \[T\]he hour is fast approaching, on which the Honor and Success of this army, and the safety of our bleeding Country depend. Remember officers… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/t-he-hour-is-fast-approaching-on-which-the-honor-and-success-of-this/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [The time is now near at hand which must probably determine whether Americans are to be freemen or slaves; whether they are to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/the-time-is-now-near-at-hand-which-must-probably-determine-whether/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [ To freemen, threats are impotent. \[Lat., Nulla enim minantis auctoritas apud liberos est.\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/to-freemen-threats-are-impotent-lat-nulla-enim-minantis-auctoritas/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) ## More by Thomas Bulfinch > [It has, therefore, been a favorite boast of the people of Wales and Cornwall, that the original British stock flourishes in its unmixed purity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-bulfinch/it-has-therefore-been-a-favorite-boast-of-the-people-of-wales-and/) [Thomas Bulfinch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-bulfinch/) > [“(wonderful to relate)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-bulfinch/wonderful-to-relate/) [Thomas Bulfinch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-bulfinch/) > [ON the decline of the Roman power, about five centuries after Christ, the countries of Northern Europe were left almost destitute of a national…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-bulfinch/on-the-decline-of-the-roman-power-about-five-centuries-after-christ/) [Thomas Bulfinch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-bulfinch/) > [“Alas! For shame," said Sir Launcelot, "that ever one knight should betray another! But it is an old saw, a good man is never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-bulfinch/alas-for-shame-said-sir-launcelot-that-ever-one-knight-should-betray/) [Thomas Bulfinch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-bulfinch/) > [Mail armor continued in general use till about the year 1300, when it was gradually supplanted by plate armor, or suits consisting of pieces…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-bulfinch/mail-armor-continued-in-general-use-till-about-the-year-1300-when-it/) [Thomas Bulfinch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-bulfinch/) > [The word knight, which originally meant boy or servant, was particularly applied to a young man after he was admitted to the privilege of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-bulfinch/the-word-knight-which-originally-meant-boy-or-servant-was/) [Thomas Bulfinch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-bulfinch/) > [We thus see that the Greeks of the early ages knew little of any real people except those to the east and south of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-bulfinch/we-thus-see-that-the-greeks-of-the-early-ages-knew-little-of-any-real/) [Thomas Bulfinch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-bulfinch/) > [The word "Chivalry" is derived from the French Cheval, a horse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-bulfinch/the-word-chivalry-is-derived-from-the-french-cheval-a-horse/) [Thomas Bulfinch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-bulfinch/) > [If no other knowledge deserves to be called useful but that which helps to enlarge our possessions or to raise our station in society,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-bulfinch/if-no-other-knowledge-deserves-to-be-called-useful-but-that-which/) [Thomas Bulfinch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-bulfinch/) > [The sunflower is a favorite emblem of constancy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-bulfinch/the-sunflower-is-a-favorite-emblem-of-constancy/) [Thomas Bulfinch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-bulfinch/) > [Shields were generally made of wood, covered with leather, or some similar substance. To secure them, in some sort, from being cut through by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-bulfinch/shields-were-generally-made-of-wood-covered-with-leather-or-some/) [Thomas Bulfinch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-bulfinch/) > [“Your arrows may strike all things else, Apollo, but mine shall strike you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-bulfinch/your-arrows-may-strike-all-things-else-apollo-but-mine-shall-strike/) [Thomas Bulfinch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-bulfinch/) > [“So near the track of the stars are we, That oft, on night's pale beams, The distant sounds of their harmony Come to our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-bulfinch/so-near-the-track-of-the-stars-are-we-that-oft-on-night-s-pale-beams/) [Thomas Bulfinch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-bulfinch/) > [The earliest form in which romances appear is that of a rude kind of verse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-bulfinch/the-earliest-form-in-which-romances-appear-is-that-of-a-rude-kind-of/) [Thomas Bulfinch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-bulfinch/) > [Religion united its influence with those of loyalty and love, and the order of knighthood, endowed with all the sanctity and religious awe that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-bulfinch/religion-united-its-influence-with-those-of-loyalty-and-love-and-the/) [Thomas Bulfinch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-bulfinch/) [Explore all 22 Thomas Bulfinch quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-bulfinch/) ## More Class quotes > [Where I grew up, learning was a collective activity. 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It doesn't mean that race doesn't matter,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/right-now-for-many-americans-class-is-being-foregrounded-like-never/) [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [But I don't think the Democratic Party is at eye level with the middle class.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/but-i-don-t-think-the-democratic-party-is-at-eye-level-with-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm not a dancer. Never took a dance class.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chrishell-stause/i-m-not-a-dancer-never-took-a-dance-class/) [Chrishell Stause](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chrishell-stause/) > [Most startups are not just built for the person who is using them. 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