Feudalism was the system of exclusive government and military institution which organized the society during a lawless and difficult time after the Roman Empire ended (Biel 9). In Feudalism, ownership of land was the foundation of superiority. This was because during the Middle Ages, people who owned land were the only ones who had a chance of gaining military and political power (Nardo 14). After Clovis, the Frankish king died in 511 A.D., Charles Martel and his …show more content…
This oath was known as homage, in the homage oath the knight promised loyalty and military/protection to the lord, this was the base of the oath (Biel 9). Military service was basic to feudalism, but the vassal owed much more to his lord. The lord expected his vassals to aid him financially if it was required, the lord presumed that the vassals would attend court, and participate in decisions concerning other vassals. Furthermore, vassals also gave money payments known as scutage or shield money to their lords in comparison to military service. The lords themselves similarly preferred the money because then they were able to hire professional troops that were trained better than the vassals (A. Smith 4). The most vital part in making feudalism function was the relationship between a vassal and the