Fief-Holding
The land which the lord gave to the vassal was known as a fief. The vassals soon began to be the political leader of their fief. Because the Carolingian Empire was diminishing, there were people called castellans who rose up and built castles, ruling over a certain area of land.
Fief-holding changed as well, where a vassal might have much power, and therefore have a vassal for himself. This created subinfeudation. Some of the sub-vassals also had vassals for themselves. The system became very complicated. Since there was so much subinfeudation, the kings didn't hold much power over the lords and their vassals, and this became spread even farther. This system of subinfeudation developed more and more and spread out until it became the common way that land was controlled. There were many governments controlled by the lords. Below them were the vassals, sub-vassals, and even lower vassals.
Fief-holding changed as well, where a vassal might have much power, and therefore have a vassal for himself. This created subinfeudation. Some of the sub-vassals also had vassals for themselves. The system became very complicated. Since there was so much subinfeudation, the kings didn't hold much power over the lords and their vassals, and this became spread even farther. This system of subinfeudation developed more and more and spread out until it became the common way that land was controlled. There were many governments controlled by the lords. Below them were the vassals, sub-vassals, and even lower vassals.
Mutual Obligations
The vassal's main obligation was to fight for his lord, but the lords also had to supply the king's army with men. The vassals also had to appear in the lord's court when they were called on, and they often helped to judge legal cases. When a lord visited a vassal's castle, the vassal would welcome the lord into his home. The vassals also had to help pay for some expenses that the lord might have.
The lords also had to provide for and protect his vassals. He would defend, and provide land for his vassals. The lords and the vassals had good relationships, and any wrong between them could result in the split of the relationship. The fiefs eventually became hereditary, if there was an eldest son to claim it.
The lords also had to provide for and protect his vassals. He would defend, and provide land for his vassals. The lords and the vassals had good relationships, and any wrong between them could result in the split of the relationship. The fiefs eventually became hereditary, if there was an eldest son to claim it.