Feudal tenure refers to the system of landholding that was prevalent in medieval Europe, where land was owned by a lord and held by vassals in exchange for service or labor. Under this system, a lord would grant a parcel of land, known as a ‘fief,’ to a vassal. In return, the vassal was obligated to provide military service, support, or other duties to the lord.
The concept revolves around mutual obligations; the lord would protect the vassal, while the vassal would aid the lord. This relationship formed the backbone of the feudal system, which was characterized by a hierarchical structure where power and land ownership were concentrated in the hands of a few nobility.
Feudal tenure also involved various types of land arrangements such as ‘knight’s service’ and ‘socage,’ which dictated the nature of the service owed and the rights of the vassal. The complexities of these relationships shaped political, social, and economic structures in medieval society and had profound implications for land rights and governance.