Monarchs were at the top of the feudal system. They were expected to maintain order and peace and to provide protection to vassals (holders of land by feudal tenure). Some monarchs had to work hard to maintain control of their kingdoms, while others (very few) had enough money to keep their own army. Vassals and nobles were relied on to provide enough knights and soldiers for an army. When a lord grew very powerful and could govern their land as an independent state, they became little more than a figurehead with little real power.
