Final answer:
Feudalism emerged in medieval Europe after the fall of Rome. It was a social system based on land ownership and loyalty, with lords granting land to vassals in exchange for military service. Feudalism began to weaken in the 14th century due to various factors.
Step-by-step explanation:
Feudalism was a social system that emerged in medieval Europe following the fall of Rome. It involved a hierarchical structure where landowners, known as lords, granted land to vassals in exchange for their loyalty and military service. The vassals, in turn, granted land to peasants in exchange for their labor and agricultural produce.
This system began as a way to provide security and protection in a time of political fragmentation. The lords needed fighters to defend their territories, and the vassals needed land to support themselves. Feudalism also extended to religious institutions, where abbots and abbesses could act as lords and vassals.
However, the feudal system began to weaken during the 14th century due to events such as the Great Famine, the Black Death, and the Hundred Years' War. The power of the merchant class grew, and the dependent relationship between lords and serfs started to disintegrate. Feudalism eventually gave way to new social structures and hierarchies.