Feudal describes a way of organizing society that was common in medieval Europe, roughly from the 800s to the 1400s. In a feudal system, powerful nobles owned vast stretches of land and allowed people to live and farm on it in exchange for loyalty, labor, and military service.

Here's how it worked: A king might grant land to a duke or baron (called a vassal), who promised to provide knights and soldiers when needed. That noble would then divide his land among lesser nobles and knights, who made similar promises to him. At the bottom were peasants and serfs who farmed the land, gave part of their harvest to their lord, and received protection in return. Everyone owed something to someone above them in the hierarchy.

This system developed because medieval Europe had weak central governments. Without strong kings or reliable armies, people needed local protection from invaders and bandits. Feudal lords provided this security from their castles, creating a web of obligations that held society together.

When we call something feudal today, we often mean it's old-fashioned and rigidly hierarchical, like a company where only the boss makes decisions and everyone else just follows orders.