Legal Definitions - feudalism

Feudalism is a system that was used in medieval Europe. It was a landholding system where people were bound by their status in a hierarchy of reciprocal obligations of service and defense. The lord was obligated to give the vassal some land, protection, and justice. In return, the vassal owed the lord some type of service, called “tenure”. This service was the method by which the vassals held the property.

The social, political, and economic system of medieval Europe was also called feudalism. It was a system where the main social bond was the relation between lord and man. The lord provided protection and defense, while the man provided protection, service, and reverence. The service included service in arms. This personal relation was involved in a proprietary relation, the tenure of land. The man held land of the lord, and the lord had important rights in the land.

For example, a lord might give a vassal some land to farm. In return, the vassal would owe the lord some type of service, such as fighting in battles or providing food and supplies. The vassal would also have to pay taxes to the lord. This system helped to maintain order and stability in medieval Europe.