Which of the following describes how the structure of feudalism in Europe worked?
Feudalism in Europe was a hierarchical system that structured medieval society. It worked on the basis of a pyramid-like structure, with the king or monarch at the top and the peasants or serfs at the bottom.
At the top of the feudal system was the king, who owned all the land. The king would grant control of the land, known as fiefs, to the nobles or lords in exchange for their loyalty and military service. This was known as the granting of a feudal landholding.
The nobles or lords, who were a part of the aristocracy, would then divide their land into smaller portions and grant them to vassals in return for military service and other obligations. These vassals were usually knights or minor lords.
The knights were responsible for providing military service to their lord or vassal. They would also protect the fiefs and maintain law and order in their assigned territories. Knights often lived on their fiefs, which were self-sustaining estates known as manors.
The peasants or serfs made up the majority of the population and were tied to the land. They were legally bound to their lord's fief and were obliged to provide labor, pay rents, and give a share of their produce to the lord. In return, the lord provided protection and granted them land to cultivate for their survival.
The feudal system was sustained by mutual obligations and a complex web of relationships based on loyalty, service, and land tenure. It provided a structure for society and control over land and resources, but also created a rigid social hierarchy with limited social mobility.