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Feudalism was a decentralized political and social system that emerged in Europe during the Middle Ages, roughly between the 9th and 15th centuries. It was characterized by a hierarchical structure where land ownership and political power were concentrated in the hands of a few, primarily the nobility and the church. The system was based on a series of reciprocal obligations and relationships, often referred to as feudal obligations, between lords and vassals.

At the top of the feudal hierarchy was the monarch, who held ultimate authority over the kingdom. Below the monarch were the nobles, including dukes, counts, and barons, who held significant landholdings and political power. These nobles, in turn, granted portions of their land to lesser nobles or knights in exchange for military service and other forms of loyalty. This process of land distribution and obligation continued down the social ladder, with peasants, or serfs, working the land in exchange for protection and the right to live on the land.

The feudal system was not only a political structure but also a social and economic one. It provided a framework for governance, military organization, and economic production. The system was highly rigid, with social mobility being limited and roles being largely predetermined by birth. The church played a significant role in the feudal system, often holding large tracts of land and exerting considerable influence over both the nobility and the peasantry.

The feudal system began to decline in the late Middle Ages due to a variety of factors, including the rise of centralized monarchies, the growth of commerce and urban centers, and the Black Death, which disrupted the traditional feudal relationships. By the end of the Middle Ages, the feudal system had largely been replaced by more modern forms of governance and economic organization.