How is political power structured in feudalism?

How is political power structured in feudalism?

Centralized under the king

Decentralized with local lords

Shared equally among all classes

Controlled by merchants

1 answer

In feudalism, political power is primarily decentralized with local lords. Feudalism is characterized by a hierarchy of authority where the king grants land (fiefs) to noble lords in exchange for military service and loyalty. These lords then have control over their own lands and vassals, managing local affairs and governance. While the king held ultimate authority, real power was often exercised by these local lords, leading to a fragmented political structure where local rulers maintained significant independence. In summary, feudalism features a decentralized power structure rather than centralized authority or equal sharing among classes.