The Feudal System
The Feudal System
The feudal system was how society in
Western Europe was structured for many
centuries after the fall of the Roman Empire.
Under this system, land ownership was the
main symbol of wealth. Wealthy landowners
“paid” less important people with land in
order to receive their services and/or loyalty in
return.
People of the Feudal System
The King:
Wealthiest landowner;
granted land to other
*nobles called "lords"
in exchange for their
loyalty and support
*noble- oforbelongingtoa
hereditaryclassthathasspecialsocial
orpoliticalstatus
People of the Feudal System
Lords:
Noble people that
were given land by
the king and were
responsible for
providing military
support when asked
People of the Feudal System
Knights:
Hired by lords – given
land/money in
exchange for their
military service to
protect the people and
enforce the king’s rule
People of the Feudal System
Serfs:
Peasants who were
allowed to live on
someone’s land (not
own it) in order to
grow food and pay
taxes to the
landowners