Feudalism in Maryland

Feudalism in Maryland, during colonial times, was a social and economic system where land ownership and obligations shaped relationships. Wealthy landowners, called landlords or proprietary owners, granted land to tenants or farmers in exchange for loyalty, labor, or a portion of their harvest. This created a structured hierarchy: the landowning elite at the top, working laborers below, and communities depending on these arrangements. While not as formalized as medieval Europe, similar principles applied—land and power were linked, and social mobility was limited, shaping Maryland's early societal and economic fabric.