noble

A person who possessed both enough land and money to employ both freedom and slaves for their benifit. A pesant was the only person, besides the king, who could own a slave. Another name for them is lords, dukes, or barons.THeir status was determined by parentage. Nobles provided food, protection, and shelter for the slaves. The nobles became the owner of his vassal's children if one of his vassals dies. The nobles also had to consult his vassasls before going to war. Nobles sometimes even got to vote who became the next king.

Works Cited:

Quigley, Mary. The Middle Ages, Heinmann Library 2003