F<span>eudalism was a complex system of relationships between people of different classes.
The king stood at the top of the complex system, and nobles were viewed as holding their lands in exchange for their military service to the king. The nobles then had vassals underneath them. And at the bottom of the system, depending on the upper classes for protection and laws, were the peasants, who gave a share of their produce to the lords above them as their part of the exchange. </span>
