feudal

Everyday

1. Belonging to the feudal system: the way society was organised in medieval Europe, where kings gave land to lords in return for loyalty and soldiers, and peasants worked the land for the lords. tree →
2. (informal) Old-fashioned and unfair, where a few powerful people control many others. tree →

In the lessons

In history lessons, the feudal system is often drawn as a pyramid: king at the top, then barons and lords, then knights, then peasants or serfs at the bottom. It explains castles, manors and why peasants had few rights. Phrases: «the feudal system», «feudal lord», «feudal society».

Examples

• In the feudal system, the king owned all the land. tree →
• The feudal lord let peasants farm his land. tree →
• Knights served their lords in feudal times. tree →
• We drew a feudal pyramid in history. tree →
• Serfs in feudal England could not leave the manor. tree →
• The boss runs the company like a feudal lord. tree →

Note

Adjective. Noun: feudalism. Pronounced «FYOO-dal». The pyramid picture is a simplification; the real system varied from place to place and changed over time.