Feudal subordinate (6)
I believe the answer is:
vassal
'feudal subordinate' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for vassal that I've seen before include "A medieval servant" , "Feudal retainer" , "A humble servant as of 9 Down" , "Feudal underling" , "Person or nation subject to another" .)