Feudalism began between the 8th and 9th centuries. It was first recognized in France, and later spread to most countries of western Europe. When Charlemagne died there was no strong ruler to take his place. That was when feudalism was established as the main system of government and way of life in Medieval Europe. Europe was politically divided. It was hit by several invasions of the Vikings, the Magyars, Muslim pirates, and others. People could no longer look to a central ruler for protection. They had to seek the protection of the lords, who had armies of their own. To...
ransom for their lord in the event of his capture during war.

A vassal"s son usually inherited his father"s responsibility to serve and pay aids. Before receiving the fief, the son had to pay a fee called a relief. The amount of payment all depended on the size of the fief.

The lord in turn, had obligations to his vassals. He promised the vassal protection and could not deny the vassal"s claim to the fief. If at any time an outsider tried to steal the vassal"s fief, the lord would join in with his other knights to aid him.