Final answer:
The feudal system was a hierarchical structure in medieval Europe built on land ownership, mutual obligations, and protection. Lords granted land (fiefs) to vassals in exchange for military service and loyalty, while serfs worked the land for protection and sustenance. Over time, various factors led to the decline of feudalism and the rise of more modern political and economic systems.
Step-by-step explanation:
The feudal system was a hierarchical structure that dominated medieval European society. It was based on a series of reciprocal legal and military obligations among the warrior nobility, revolving around three key concepts: lords, vassals, and fiefs. A lord was a noble who owned land and held power over all who lived on it. He would grant portions of this land, known as fiefs, to vassals, who were typically knights or lower nobility. In return for the fief, the vassal owed the lord military service and loyalty .At the base of this hierarchy were the peasants, also known as serfs, who worked the land to produce goods and sustenance for the realm. Serfs lived on and farmed the lord's land and in return, they received protection and the right to live on the fief. This arrangement benefited both the lords, who had fighters to defend their lands, and the vassals, who had resources to support themselves. The Church also played a significant role in the feudal system, controlling land and exerting power similar to that of secular lords .Feudalism was not just a social and military system, but also a legal and economic one. The respective duties and rights of lords and vassals were regulated by feudal law. Over time, challenges such as war, famine, and the development of commerce began to weaken the feudal system, paving the way for the rise of centralized monarchies and the transition to a more market-driven economy.