What does the word feudalism mean?

Question

What does the word feudalism mean?

Answer 1

it basically means:

A political and economic system of Europe from the 9th to about the 15th century, based on the holding of all land in fief or fee and the resulting relation of lord to vassal and characterized by homage, legal and military service of tenants, and forfeiture.

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dictionary.com

Answer 2

a system of economic and political realtions involving lords, their peasant serfs (or laborers), and vasslas... used in Japan also NOT JUST EUROPE!!!!!

Answer 3

The social system that developed in Europe in the 8th century; vassals were protected by lords who they had to serve in war.

Answer 4

Feudalism, a term first used in the early modern period (17th century), in its most classic sense refers to a Medieval European political "system" comprised of a set of reciprocal legal and military obligations among the warrior nobility, revolving around the three key concepts of lords, vassals, and fiefs (also called Serfs). Although derived from the Latin word feodum (fief), then in use, the term feudalism and a "system" it purports to describe was unknown to people living in the Medieval Period.

Three primary elements characterized feudalism: lords, vassals and fiefs; the structure of feudalism can be seen in how these three elements fit together. A lord was a noble who owned land, a vassal was a person who was granted possession of the land by the lord, and the land was known as a fief. In exchange for the fief, the vassal would provide military service to the lord. The obligations and relations between lord, vassal and fief form the basis of feudalism.

Feudalism in Europe was made up of a noble or lord who acquired real property under the laws at that time. These lords were able to build castles, sometimes with a moat, which would serve as a defence against enemies. The lords would rent their land out to vassals who swore an oath of fealty to defend the land against common enemies. Vassals were considered nobles but with less power. Serfs were allowed onto the estate after swearing an oath of fealty to the lord in exchange for his service should it be required to help defend the estate. The serfs then could rent and farm the land to provide sustenance for their families. The peasants or serfs were not slaves because they were free to leave if they wanted. If one lord sold the land to another the peasants would not move. The new lord would own the land. The peasants usually paid rent in a form of parentage of their crop. In return the vassals gave the peasants protection and land to work. The vassals would also give the lord a percentage of their wealth.

Answer 5

Go to www.dictionary.com and you'll see it means: A political and economic system of Europe from the 9th to about the 15th century, based on the holding of all land in fief or fee and the resulting relation of lord to vassal and characterized by homage, legal and military service of tenants, and forfeiture.

Answer 6

Main Entry: feu·dal·ism  

Pronunciation: \ˈfyü-də-ˌli-zəm\

Function: noun

Date: circa 1818

1 : the system of political organization prevailing in Europe from the 9th to about the 15th centuries having as its basis the relation of lord to vassal with all land held in fee and as chief characteristics homage, the service of tenants under arms and in court, wardship, and forfeiture

2 : any of various political or social systems similar to medieval feudalism