Question

What was Medieval European feudalism?

Answer 1

Western Europe went through a breakdown of society after the fall of Rome. Groups of people tried to figure a way to be safe in a world where nobody is in charge.

The church was about the only thing that was very organized.

Groups of people joined together for their own safety. That means they had to be armed and ready to fight if necessary. Military leaders naturally became some of the most important people.

The military leaders would also protect the church and priests and such. In return, the church would recognize the leaders as king or something.

These kings would be seen as the authority in whatever land they controlled. He needed the support of others so he would make some people a duke or count or some other noble office. Each noble got control over a certain part of the kingdom. Sometimes a nobleman already had control of an area and the king would give him a title to join in with the kingdom.

Nobleman did the same thing with lesser nobles and knights. They all got some land to control. Every nobleman had to answer to the guy above him that gave him the land. When the noble above you wants to do a war, you have to supply knights, foot soldiers along with food and weapons and all their war making stuff.

Most people were not nobles. They were called serfs. That means almost a slave. Serfs were mostly farmers and laborers. They were tied to the land. That means they lived and worked in a place and the nobleman over them owned everything and made all the rules. The had no say in who was in charge, they just worked the land. They were the lowest in society but really it couldn't work without them.