Kings
The king owned everything in the kingdom. Not only was he the richest person, but he was the most powerful - he had made all the laws. The king received the throne by being born into the royal family.
Nobles
Directly below the king was the tenant-in-chief, also referred to as the nobles. He was was the only other person that owned land, and he answered only to the king. His role in the system was to control land to the knights and train the knights for military service and the chance to become a tenant-in-chief. The tenant-in-chief was loyal to his king for life, if he was found otherwise, his land was revoked and he was banished or killed.
Knights
The knight was normally someone of military association,
usually to a nobleman or, if distinguished enough, directly to the king
himself. He was granted land from a tenant-in-chief in exchange for military
service, and through many years of loyalty and honorable service, could be
granted the title of tenant-in-chief.
Peasants
The bottom of the feudal system pyramid was reserved for the lowest of the medieval classes, the peasants.
The king owned everything in the kingdom. Not only was he the richest person, but he was the most powerful - he had made all the laws. The king received the throne by being born into the royal family.
Nobles
Directly below the king was the tenant-in-chief, also referred to as the nobles. He was was the only other person that owned land, and he answered only to the king. His role in the system was to control land to the knights and train the knights for military service and the chance to become a tenant-in-chief. The tenant-in-chief was loyal to his king for life, if he was found otherwise, his land was revoked and he was banished or killed.
Knights
The knight was normally someone of military association,
usually to a nobleman or, if distinguished enough, directly to the king
himself. He was granted land from a tenant-in-chief in exchange for military
service, and through many years of loyalty and honorable service, could be
granted the title of tenant-in-chief.
Peasants
The bottom of the feudal system pyramid was reserved for the lowest of the medieval classes, the peasants.