Final answer:
The Middle Ages in Europe were characterized by a system called feudalism, characterized by a hierarchical system of land ownership and a network of social obligations between lords, vassals, and serfs, with land as the principal source of power.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Feudal System in the Middle Ages
During the Middle Ages, an economic and political system in Europe known as feudalism defined the social and power hierarchy. Lords, or nobility, owned land and granted portions of it, called fiefdoms, to vassals in exchange for military and other services. This hierarchical system of land ownership included serfs, who worked the land and provided labor to the lords in return for protection and a place to live.
This relationship was the backbone of medieval society, where roles and obligations were strictly defined, and land was the main source of wealth and power. However, with the progression towards the modern era and events such as the Industrial Revolution, feudalism eventually gave way to capitalism and more centralized forms of government.