Final answer:
In a decentralized state, land ownership was held by lords within a feudal system, managing it along with the labor of serfs, while the Church also owned significant estate. Lords were responsible for protecting their subjects, who owed them services in return.
Step-by-step explanation:
In a decentralized state, often under a feudal system, land was indeed owned and controlled by various lords, who were sometimes vassals to more powerful lords or even the king. Under this system, lords provided protection and the right to work the land, known as a fief, to lower-ranking individuals or serfs. In return, these serfs, who were legally bound to the land, would offer services, agricultural production, or military support to their lords. The Church also played a significant role in land ownership, acquiring large estates that were exempt from taxes. While lords had a great deal of autonomy over their lands and serfs, they were also responsible for the protection and the administration of justice within their domains. Over time, the complex hierarchy of feudal relationships created a power structure that was distributed rather than centralized.