Having multiple superordinates paradoxically increases a subordinate’s independence from each

Evidence

An essential difference between the medieval bondsman and the medieval vassal consisted in the fact that the former had, and could have, only one master, whereas the latter could take land from several lords and make the feudal vow to each of them. Through this possibility of entering several feudal service relations, the vassal gained solidity and independence in regard to the single feudal lord, and, thus, was compensated very considerably for the basic subordination of his position. — Georg Simmel, The Sociology of Georg Simmel, 5966

Categorization

• DEFINE: This is a signature Simmel insight generalizable beyond feudalism: multiplicity of masters breeds autonomy.
• XREF: Connects to the reader’s triad work — the addition of a second superordinate parallels how a third party reconfigures dyadic power. — connects to: Multiple subordinated identities compound into more than additive subordination. — Cyra Akila Choudhury, Racecraft and Identity in the Emergence…, 72