There were also some vital problems in the feudal hierarchy system that poor were becoming poorer and rich were becoming richer with the passage of time. The protection of the land was among the duties assigned to the vassals. A fealty oath was taken to reinforce all the promises made during the royal homage. The process includes having a contract which states to provide services to the lord, even fighting at the command of the lords and in return lord promised not only to provide land but also to protect the vassal form various external forces. Before granting the fief to the lower class (vassals) a ceremony called commendation ceremony used to be held accompanied by the oath of fealty and a royal homage. The lords granted their lands to these vassals and in return ask for rent and some services.

Vassals/ Lower Class: The fief land was allocated to lower class that was termed as vassals.

Lords were considered the upper class and got special privileges as compared to the lower class. The land which was rented to the lower class was termed as a fief. A lord distributed the grants of lands to the people at lower class known as vassals to get, in return some special services along with the rent of the land granted. A lord can be termed as a master, ruler or a chief.

Lords/ Upper Class: A lord was a person who possessed land and has power/ control over others.

These are described briefly as below: Hierarchy in Feudal System This hierarchy basically revolves around these two concepts namely lords and peasants or vassals. This was a general practice that was practiced by every group or class in the society including the king.

In the Feudal hierarchy system, the land owners would rent their lands to the people who belong to lower class and known as fiefs and in return would expect loyalty, personal services along with rent.

European feudalism chart