Feudalism: meaning, definitions and examples

Feudalism refers broadly to a medieval social and economic system based on land ownership, hierarchy, and obligations between lords and vassals. It's often used in academic discussions or historical analyses.

• Feudalism was a dominant social structure in medieval Europe.
• Modern historians often debate the extent and impact of feudalism across different regions.

Feudal system refers specifically to the organized structure and mechanics of feudalism, such as the distribution of land, the hierarchy of power, and the legal and economic mechanisms. It’s used to describe how feudalism functioned as a system.

• The feudal system dictated the legal and economic relationships between different classes.
• Understanding the feudal system helps explain how medieval governments operated.

Feudal society emphasizes the social aspects of feudalism, highlighting the relationships and roles within the society, such as peasants, knights, and lords. This term is often used when discussing the daily life and social interactions in a feudal context.

• In a feudal society, peasants worked the land while knights provided military service to their lords.
• Feudal society was structured around a system of mutual obligations and duties.