Norman Conquest Encyclopedia

The Norman state was organised under the system of feudalism which had developed to combat the collapse of public order in Europe in the 8th and 9th centuries. A vassal held land by reason of his duty to render military service to the lord by whom the land was granted and by reason of an oath of fealty. Kings and lords thus granted land in return for loyalty and service, and this developed into the grant of hereditary land rights or fiefs. The terms derive from the Latin word feoda.

See also: Norman ; vassal; oath of fealty

Related Reading:

• The Normans
  (Elite 9)