Key Feudal System Roles to Know for European History

The feudal system shaped European society from 1000 to 1500, defining roles and relationships among various classes. Key figures like kings, nobles, knights, and peasants created a complex hierarchy that influenced governance, military service, and daily life across the continent.

1. King/Monarch

   • The highest authority in the feudal system, ruling over the kingdom and granting land to nobles.
   • Responsible for maintaining order, justice, and defense of the realm.
   • Often claimed divine right to rule, legitimizing their power through religious endorsement.

2. Nobles/Lords

   • Landowners who received large estates from the king in exchange for loyalty and military service.
   • Managed local governance, justice, and protection of their vassals and peasants.
   • Played a crucial role in the feudal hierarchy, often engaging in power struggles with other nobles.

3. Knights

   • Mounted warriors who served their lords in exchange for land or protection.
   • Followed a code of chivalry, emphasizing bravery, honor, and respect for women and the weak.
   • Essential for military service, especially during conflicts and wars.

4. Clergy (Bishops, Priests, Monks)

   • Religious leaders who provided spiritual guidance and education to the community.
   • Held significant power and influence, often owning land and collecting tithes.
   • Played a key role in the feudal system by mediating disputes and providing moral authority.

5. Peasants/Serfs

   • The majority of the population, working the land and providing food for the feudal system.
   • Serfs were bound to the land and could not leave without permission from their lord.
   • Faced heavy taxation and labor obligations, but received protection and a place to live in return.

6. Vassals

   • Individuals who pledged loyalty to a lord in exchange for land and protection.
   • Often held smaller portions of land and could have their own vassals.
   • Played a critical role in the feudal contract, ensuring the loyalty and military support of their followers.

7. Freemen

   • Peasants who were not bound to the land and had more rights than serfs.
   • Could own property, engage in trade, and move freely.
   • Often worked as skilled laborers or in trades, contributing to local economies.

8. Craftsmen/Artisans

   • Skilled workers who created goods and services, contributing to the local economy.
   • Often organized into guilds, which regulated trade practices and maintained quality standards.
   • Played a vital role in urban centers, facilitating the growth of towns and commerce.

9. Merchants

   • Individuals who traded goods, often traveling between towns and regions.
   • Helped stimulate economic growth and the exchange of ideas and culture.
   • Played a key role in the development of markets and the rise of a more complex economy.

10. Bailiffs

    • Officials appointed by lords to manage their estates and oversee the peasants.
    • Responsible for collecting rents, taxes, and ensuring the lord's orders were carried out.
    • Acted as intermediaries between the lord and the peasant population, enforcing local laws.