The feudal system primarily benefited the nobility and landowners. In this hierarchical structure, lords granted land, known as fiefs, to vassals in exchange for military service and loyalty. This arrangement established a system of mutual obligation that was fundamental to the societal framework of medieval Europe.
At the top of the feudal hierarchy were the kings and powerful lords, who controlled vast territories and received protection from their vassals. This wealth enabled them to maintain their status and influence. On the other hand, vassals gained land and the right to govern their fiefs, which often provided them with income through agriculture and taxes collected from peasants.
While peasants, or serfs, worked the land, their benefits were minimal. They received protection and the right to live on the land, but they were bound to serve their lords and had limited freedom. Thus, it was the lords and nobles who reaped the most rewards from the feudal system, as they held economic power and authority, shaping the social structure for generations.