Feudalism

Feudalism
Social characteristics:
The Feudal Society was based upon the oaths of fealty to the King for land. His tenants or vassals would perform this fealty in exchange for plots of landcalled fiefs. Those holder included Bishops as the church was one of the largest landowners, there were also people lower down the hierarchical scale such as villains and serfs. Often vassals to the Kingwere also Lords to vassals such as peasants, who they let out a small section of their land to in return for farming.
Cultural characteristics
In the feudal system society was organized as apyramid of sorts. The clergy and nobles were at the top, with a great many peasants at the bottom. Peasants worked on the land and lived in rough huts, which they often shared with their animals. Theyslept on straw mattresses on the floor. In the middle were the scientists, merchants, craftsmen and yeoman farmers.
Feudalism as a Political system
Feudalism can be considered a political systembecause it was a way to organize governing bodies and society. The feudal system in England eventually developed into what we know as parliament which has served as a model for many government systemsaround the world.
Feudalism is the precursor of modern political systems. The feudal system was established in the 9th century and was used mostly in Western and Central Europe. Since there were alot of political and religious problems in the area at the time, people from the lower straits of society were suffering the consequences of war and famine. That is why the kings began to grant themost important noblemen and bishops with huge extensions of land to administer them in exchange for their loyalty and support. And these nobles would allow poor people to live and work in theirlands to make them produce food in order to sell it, and in change for their work, these landlords would guarantee these people protection. That is how the feudal society worked for almost 10 centuries.