Feudal lords

Feudal lords were powerful landowners in medieval Europe who held large estates granted by the monarch in exchange for loyalty and military service. They governed their lands, providing protection and justice for their vassals—lesser nobles or peasants—who worked the land. In return, these vassals would pay rent or offer labor. This hierarchical system, known as feudalism, created a social structure where loyalty and obligations were key, helping maintain order and stability during a time when centralized governments were weak. The feudal lords played a crucial role in local governance and the economy of medieval society.