Feudalism was a class structure based on the characteristics of loyalty and HONOR.
- Feudalism happened during the age of chivalry. Knights and nobles were recognized by their chivalry which included loyalty and honor. These two characteristics were highly valued during that era. Don Quixote is a novel that makes fun of chivalry.
In the hierarchy of feudalism, the king and nobles had the most power. They were followed by KNIGHTS, who fought in wars for the king.
- The hierarchy was: kings, bishops and barons, knights and peasants. Kings were the owners of the land, and bishops were the spiritual authority. Knights fought in order to protect the land from invasions. And at the bottom of the hierarchy were the peasants that cultivated the land.
At the bottom of the hierarchy were the peasants who paid taxes in exchange for PROTECTION.
- Peasants would work the land in exchange for protection. The crops that were produced belonged to the king, however, most of the time they could keep a part of those crops as food for their families.