A medieval European social and political system based on the exchange of land for military service, characterized by hierarchical relationships between lords and vassals.
From Medieval Latin 'feudum' (fief) meaning 'land held in exchange for service,' possibly derived from Frankish or Germanic roots. The term 'feudalism' itself was coined by 17th-century scholars to describe medieval social structures.
Feudalism wasn't actually called 'feudalism' by medieval people—they just lived it! This system emerged as a practical solution to the collapse of centralized government: when kings couldn't protect everyone, local strongmen stepped in, creating a web of personal loyalties that defined European society for centuries and still influences our ideas about honor and obligation.
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