Changes

European Feudalism began in the 8th century and flourished between the 10th and 13th centuries.<ref>The New American Desk Encyclopedia, Penguin Group, 1989</ref>

European Feudalism began in the 8th century and flourished between the 10th and 13th centuries.<ref>The New American Desk Encyclopedia, Penguin Group, 1989</ref>

Feudalism in [[Europe]] was made up of a [[noble]] or [[lord]] who acquired real property under the laws at that time. These lords were able to build castles, sometimes with a moat, which would serve as a defence against enemies. The lords would rent their land out to [[vassals]] who swore an oath of fealty to defend the land against common enemies.  Vassals were considered nobles but with less power. [[Serfs]] were allowed onto the estate after swearing an oath of fealty to the lord in exchange for his service should it be required to help defend the estate.  The serfs then could rent and farm the land to provide sustenance for their families. The peasants or serfs were not slaves because they were free to leave if they wanted. If one lord sold the land to another the peasants would not move.  The new lord would own the land.  The peasants usually paid rent in a form of parentage of their crop.  In return the vassals gave the peasants protection and land to work.  The vassals would also give the lord a percentage of their wealth.

Feudalism in [[Europe]] was made up of a [[noble]] or [[lord]] who were granted property by monarchs in exchange for military assistance. These lords were able to build castles, sometimes with a moat, which would serve as a defence against enemies. The lords would rent their land out to [[vassals]] who swore an oath of fealty to defend the land against common enemies and were also required to make some sort of payment to the lord.  Vassals were considered nobles but with less power. [[Serfs]] were bound to the vassals and their land, such that they had to swear fealty to him. The serfs would farm the Lord's demesne in exchange for defence by the lord and permission to farm some of the land for subsistence purposes. Over time this system evolved such that rather than labor services being used as payment by the serfs, they would pay with goods such as food, and eventually money. If one lord sold the land to another the peasants would not move as they were bound to the land and to their new lord.

== Japan ==

== Japan ==