E) Feudalism

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 20:20:47 +0000

# E) Feudalism: The Medieval Social and Economic System That Shaped Europe Feudalism stands as one of history’s most influential and enduring social structures, defining medieval Europe from approximately the 9th to the 15th century. Far more than just a rigid hierarchy, feudalism was a complex system of land ownership, loyalty, military service, and mutual obligations that shaped the political, economic, and social fabric of the era. In this comprehensive guide, we explore the origins, key features, regional variations, and legacy of feudalism—an indispensable part of medieval history. ## What Is Feudalism? At its core, feudalism was a decentralized system of governance based on land tenure and personal relationships. It emerged amid the collapse of centralized Roman authority and the pressures of external threats, such as Viking raids and Muslim expansion. Feudalism revolved around a network of reciprocal obligations: lords granted land (fiefs) to vassals in exchange for military service and loyalty, while vassals provided protection and support to their overlords and, sometimes, peasants to their lords.