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The social structure of the Middle Ages
was organized round the system of Feudalism. Feudalism in practice
meant that the country was not governed by the king but by
individual lords, or barons, who administered their own estates,
dispensed their own justice, minted their own money, levied taxes
and tolls, and demanded military service from vassals.
Usually the lords could field greater
armies than the king. In theory the king was the chief feudal lord,
but in reality the individual lords were supreme in their own
territory. Many kings were little more than figurehead rulers.
Feudal Ties. Feudalism was built upon a relationship of obligation
and mutual service between vassals and lords. A vassal held his
land, or fief, as a grant from a lord. When a vassal died, his heir
was required to publicly renew his oath of faithfulness (fealty) to
his lord (suzerain). This public oath was called "homage".
A Vassal's Obligations. The vassal was required to attend the lord
at his court, help administer justice, and contribute money if
needed. He must answer a summons to battle, bringing an agreed upon
number of fighting men. As well, he must feed and house the lord and
his company when they travelled across his land.
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