Main Features of Feudalism:

Feudalism was a social, economic, and political system that dominated medieval Europe from the 9th to the 15th century. It was characterized by a hierarchical structure, in which land was owned by the king or lord and was then distributed among vassals in exchange for military service and other obligations. The following are the main features of feudalism:

1. Hierarchical Structure:
Feudalism was based on a pyramid-like social structure. At the top was the king or lord who owned all the land and had complete authority. Below the king were the vassals, who were granted land by the king in exchange for their loyalty, military service, and other duties. The vassals, in turn, could have sub-vassals beneath them, and the hierarchy continued downwards.

2. Land Tenure:
Land was the most important aspect of feudalism. The king or lord owned all the land and granted fiefs (portions of land) to his vassals. The vassals, in turn, would grant smaller portions of land to their sub-vassals. The land was considered the primary source of wealth and power, and it was the basis of the feudal relationship.

3. Obligations and Services:
Feudalism was characterized by reciprocal obligations and services. The vassals owed loyalty, military service, and financial support to their lord, while the lord had a duty to protect and provide justice to his vassals. These obligations were often formalized through a ceremony called homage and an oath of fealty.

4. Manorialism:
Manorialism was a system closely associated with feudalism. It involved the division of land into self-sufficient agricultural units called manors, which were controlled by the lord. The peasants, also known as serfs, worked on the manors and owed various labor services and dues to the lord in exchange for their right to live and work on the land.

5. Decentralized Political Power:
Feudalism was marked by decentralized political power. The authority of the king or lord was not centralized but dispersed among various vassals, who exercised their own control over the territories they governed. This system of fragmented power led to a lack of centralized governance and often resulted in conflicts and rivalries between different lords.

6. Lack of Social Mobility:
Feudalism was characterized by a rigid social hierarchy with limited social mobility. Status and position were determined by birth, and there was little opportunity for individuals to move up the social ladder. The social classes were divided into three orders: the clergy, the nobility, and the peasantry. The clergy held religious authority, the nobility held political and military power, and the peasantry formed the majority of the population and worked as laborers.

Overall, feudalism was a complex system that governed medieval society. It provided a framework for social, economic, and political relationships, but it also had limitations and inequalities. Feudalism gradually declined with the rise of centralized monarchies and the emergence of new economic systems during the Renaissance and Enlightenment periods.