The word “feudal” derives from the word fief. As a shorthand, feudalism will do as well as any other. However, the alternative is to get bogged down in detailed descriptions and qualifications which risk overwhelming all but specialist medievalists. They regard it as inadequate in describing an extraordinarily complex situation. The term “feudal system” is used by historians to describe a social-political structure which was a key feature of medieval Europe. Harold swearing oath on holy relics to William, Duke of Normandy, from the Bayeux Tapestry / Wikimedia Commons The term “feudal system” came into use to describe a hierarchy of relationships which were embraced in medieval Europe, involving fief-holders of different ranks.
Night of August 4th, abolition of feudality and fiscal privileges, by Léopold Morice / Wikimedia Commons
