any social,
economic or political system or
doctrine thought of as resembling the
feudal system in subordinating people to the
dictates of a
leader or system. Originally in Western Europe in the
Middle Ages (476 - 1450) the
feudal system was one in which lesser nobles, such as barons, were tenants on land owned by a
king. They provided military and other assistance to their
king in
return for his protection and the
use of the land. Part of the
use of the land included the
use of the serfs (slaves) or peasants that lived and worked on that land.
—9th ACC Volume 3 Approved Glossary