Feudalism is a social and economic system that was prevalent in medieval Europe. A common feature of feudalism is hierarchical land ownership between the lords and the serfs. The lords were the owners of the land and the serfs were bound to the land, which they worked in exchange for protection and security provided by the lord. The lord provided land, protection, and justice to the serfs, who in turn paid rents, taxes, and other dues to the lord. This relationship was characterized by a strict hierarchy, with the lord at the top, followed by the vassals, knights, and serfs at the bottom. The ownership of land was a key aspect of this system, and the hierarchy was maintained through strict rules and regulations that governed the relations between the lords and the serfs.