Feudal System

A system of land tenure general on the continent of Europe, becoming universal in France in the tenth century, while it was introduced into England at the time of the Norman Conquest. The king as lord paramount was the owner of the whole country, which was held in fief, or va alage, by the great territorial lords, who owed him homage and service, military or other. They in turn had va als of le er degree, bound to them by similar ties, but, subject to the due discharge of such service, perfectly free. By the growth of “subinfeudation” this system became indefinitely extended.