Feudalism: The dominant social system in medieval Europe, in which the nobility held lands from the Crown in exchange for military service, and vassals were tenants of and protected by the nobles, giving their lords homage.
Fief: An estate of land, especially one held on condition of feudal service.
Vassal: A holder of land by feudal tenure on conditions of homage and allegiance.
Homage: formal acknowledgement of feudal allegiance.
Nobility: the quality of being noble.
Villains: a person guilty of a crime.
Servants: a person who performs duties for others
Tithe: one tenth of annual produce or earnings, formerly taken as a tax for the support of the Church and clergy.
