feudalisms

Feudalism was a socio-political system that developed in medieval Europe. It was characterized by a decentralized government structure where land ownership and military service were the basis of power. At the top of the hierarchy was the monarch, who theoretically owned all land. This land was granted in fiefs to vassals, typically nobles, in exchange for military allegiance and other obligations. These vassals, in turn, could grant portions of their land to lesser vassals, creating a chain of reciprocal obligations.

Peasants, often referred to as serfs, formed the base of feudal society. They were tied to the land and provided labor and produce to their lord in exchange for protection and a small plot to farm for themselves. This system provided a framework for order and defense in a period of weak central authority and frequent warfare. While often depicted as a rigid class system, the actual implementation and uniformity of feudalism varied significantly across different regions and time periods. It gradually declined with the rise of strong monarchies, the growth of towns and trade, and changes in military technology.