The feudal system was an economic, social and political system that existed in Europe during the Middle Ages from the 8th to 13th centuries. By the terms of the feudal system, the king gave his nobles control of land in exchange for their oath to support him financially and militarily. In turn, the nobles allocated portions of land to the lord of the manor, who relied upon the labor of serfs, at the bottom of the hierarchy. The serfs were unpaid workers who were legally bound to work the land and produce the agricultural products upon which the whole system depended. Serfs were allowed to farm some of the land in order to support themselves.
