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During the Middle Ages in Europe, feudalism played a significant role in shaping the social class structure. Feudalism was a hierarchical system that organized society based on land ownership and service. In this system, the king granted land, known as fiefs, to nobles in exchange for their loyalty and military service. The nobles, or lords, then granted smaller portions of land to vassals, who were usually knights or lesser nobles. In return, the vassals provided military support and other services to their lords.

This system created a strict social hierarchy. At the top were the kings and queens, followed by the nobles and lords. They held the most power, wealth, and land. Below them were the vassals, who had their own land and had some authority over the peasants who worked on it. The majority of the population consisted of peasants or serfs, who were tied to the land and obligated to work for their lords in exchange for protection and a place to live.

Feudalism solidified the social class structure of Medieval Europe, with clear divisions between the ruling class and the lower classes. It established a system of obligations and dependencies, where each class had specific rights and responsibilities. The lords provided protection and land, while the peasants worked the land and provided labor. This hierarchical structure remained in place for centuries, shaping the social, economic, and political landscape of Medieval Europe.