The main characteristic of feudalism in medieval Europe was the structured social hierarchy based on land ownership and mutual obligations. At the top of the hierarchy was the king, who granted land (fiefs) to nobles (lords) in exchange for loyalty and military service. The lords, in turn, subdivided their land among vassals and knights, who provided protection and service. Peasants and serfs worked the land and, while they had limited rights, were essential for agricultural production. This feudal system created a network of obligations and protections that defined social, economic, and political relations during the Middle Ages, influencing the development of European societies.