Final answer:
Feudalism was a social system in medieval Europe characterized by a hierarchical structure based on land ownership and protection. Lords granted lands to their vassals in exchange for military service and other obligations. Serfs worked the land for the lords in exchange for protection.
Step-by-step explanation:
Feudalism was a social system in medieval Europe characterized by a hierarchical structure based on land ownership and protection. It involved lords who granted lands to their vassals in exchange for military service and other obligations. The vassals, or fighters, would extract wealth from their lands which were worked by peasants called serfs. Feudalism was a mutually supportive system where lords owned the land, knights provided military service, and serfs worked the land in exchange for protection.