Definitions for "Protectorate"
Government by a protector; -- applied especially to the government of England by Oliver Cromwell.
A region that has some an autonomy and self government, but remains under the "protection" of the "mother" country.
A country that is controlled and “protected” by another.
a state or territory partly controlled by (but not a possession of) a stronger state but autonomous in internal affairs; protectorates are established by treaty
a relationship between two nations whereby a stronger nation controls the politics and economy of a weaker nation under the guise that they want to protect that country
a weak nation under the protection and partial control of a stronger nation
See Puritan Revolution, Interregnum.
Keywords:  monarch, reign, plea, they're, abused
A household may apply to a monarch for protection. This may be for whatever reason; perhaps they're being abused by a much larger household, or subject to civil war. If their plea is accepted, the entire household becomes property of the monarch for the duration of his reign.
The authority assumed by a superior power over an inferior or a dependent one, whereby the former protects the latter from invasion and shares in the management of its affairs.
a state that is not fully independent, and is under the protection of a larger state, which typically handles foreign affairs and defense.
a dependent area in which a metropolitan power has acquired control of the area's foreign relations and defense but which the metropolitan power has not annexed
a way of taking an opposing faction out of the game without having to spend time and effort conquering them
period of French and Spanish colonial occupation (1912-56)
semi-colonial state