Feudal System

Until recently, historians referred to medieval society as a feudal society. The term feudal was coined in the eighteenth century to describe a society based in the fief, a property held by a man in return for services, primarily military service, rendered to its owner, a king or lord. Although its holder did not own the fief, it was granted to him for life.

Peasants held their land from the fiefholder in return for furnishing him with labor and part of their produce. The fiefholder could eject a peasant from his land whenever he felt like doing so. In short, medieval society was seen as a hierarchical structure based on a descending order of rights and privileges.

Vassalage derived from an old Roman institution called commendation, by which on person would voluntarily commend himself to another. The act created a legal relationship between them that required the superior party to protect the inferior party and required the inferior party to show loyalty and provide assistance to the superior. (Vassalage Ceremony)

Back to main page