Instead of military service, they paid coins, while the crown paid mercenaries to protect them and join in campaigns. Payment of scutage among nobles also weakened the system.Events such as the Black Death, or spread of bubonic plague, resulted in the decline of Europe’s population. The feudal system was generally a relationship of reciprocal aid which was weakened by time.In 1215, the feudal system under King John of England caused the Barons’ Revolt, which later led to the signing of the Magna Carta.A monarch could distance a noble from the court through land as well. Moreover, monarchs gained political favors from the nobles with the use of lands.Given that fiefs were hereditary in nature, class divide among the nobility and peasants became permanent.Among the main consequences of feudalism in Europe was the existence of localized groups who owed loyalty to lords who specifically held power over them.A manor consisted of a demesne land or land under the direct control of the lord, dependent land, or lands cultivated by serfs, and free lands rented by yeomen. A fief was composed of number of manors or blocks of farmlands.To seal the relationship of the lord and vassal, acts of homage were conducted in which the receiver of the land or fief would swear to protect his lord, whilst protect his vassal as well.Peasants were categorized into serfs, villeins, freemen, and yeoman. Under-tenants who were members of the church and the mobility then granted lands to peasants in exchange for labour or rent.In the later years of the Medieval period, knights and members of the nobility paid scutage instead of military service. As tenants of lands, nobles would need military service from knights to protect the crown, again acquired by giving off lands.They became the monarch’s vassals who would in return give him loyalty and service. To repay loyal nobles, he granted them lands. In 1066, William the Conqueror became the King of England and held all lands under his control. At the top of a feudal society was a king. Moreover, the manorial system imposed in Medieval England had its roots with the Romans in which workers were provided with protection while living on large estates.
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