Feudal Structure:

The feudal system provided local self-defense in the absence of strong rulers with large armies. The structure of the system was based on land. As payment, for military services, rulers gave land to nobles, who in turn earned an income from the land in repayment, the nobles would arm knights and foot soldiers to fight for the ruler.

Fief: a grant of land or an estate

Lord: a ruler who grants a fief in return for military service.

Vassal: a person who receives a fief. The vassal, in return owes the lord :

1. Knights and foot soldiers

2. Ransom money if the lord is captured in war

3. Housing and food for the lord and his knights when they visit the vassal's fief

Homage: a vassal's oath of loyalty to a lord, often in exchange for land.

Knight: a warrior who pledges loyalty to a lord, often in exchange for land. Later in the Middle Ages, a knight received training and lived by a code.

Peasant: a person who works the land

Serf: a peasant of the lowest class, who is bound to the land and cannot leave it.