Who was involved in the Feudal System?

Feudalism was the dominant social and political system of the Middle Ages. In essence, every single member of a society was involved in the feudal system, from the king to the peasant:

• The king was at the top of the hierarchy: he gave land to his noblemen (called a fief), making them his tenants-in-chief. In return, they swore an oath of loyalty to the king.


• The noblemen gave land to knights, making them vassals, in return for their military service.


• Peasants received land and protection from the noblemen and knights in return for their labour.


• Members of the Church received protection from the knights and food from the peasants in return for providing spiritual guidance and care.

Feudalism, then, bound every member of society through a complex system of obligation and loyalty.