The political system that existed in feudal Europe was feudalism, which was characterized by the exchange of land for loyalty and service. In this hierarchical system, kings granted land, known as fiefs, to nobles in exchange for military service, while those nobles, in turn, could have vassals or knights who served them. Peasants or serfs worked the land for the lords, providing agricultural produce in return for protection and a place to live. Feudalism created a rigid social structure with defined roles and duties, influencing governance, economy, and personal relationships in medieval Europe until the rise of centralized monarchies.