Feudalism in England was a complex and hierarchical social and economic system that dominated the country from the 11th to the 15th centuries. It was characterized by a network of relationships and obligations between lords and vassals, in which land was the main source of wealth and power. This essay will explore the origins, structure and impact of feudalism in England, as well as its eventual decline and legacy. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on 'Why violent video games should not be banned'? Get the original essay The origins of feudalism in England date back to the Norman Conquest of 1066, when William the Conqueror and his Norman knights defeated the Anglo- Saxon King Harold II at the Battle of Hastings. In the aftermath of the conquest, William redistributed land among his supporters, creating a new aristocratic class who owed allegiance to the king in exchange for land and privileges. This marked the beginning of a feudal system in England, with the king at the top of the hierarchy, followed by his tenants-in-chief, who held land directly from the king, then subject it to their own vassals. In England, feudalism was based on the principle of land tenure, whereby land was held in exchange for military service and other obligations. The king granted land to his chief tenants, who in turn granted land to their vassals, who were obligated to provide military support, pay taxes, and perform other duties in exchange for the use of the earth. This hierarchical system of land ownership and obligations formed the basis of political and social organization in medieval England, with the king at the top of the pyramid and a complex network of relationships between lords and vassals below him. The impact of feudalism on the English economy and society was profound. Land was the primary source of wealth and power, and the distribution of land determined social status and political influence. The feudal system created a rigid social hierarchy, with the king and nobility at the top, followed by knights, clergy and peasants at the bottom. This stratified society was characterized by inequality and exploitation, with peasants working on their lords' lands in exchange for protection and meager wages. Feudalism also had a significant impact on the legal and political structure of medieval England. The king was the ultimate authority, but his power was limited by the rights and privileges of the nobility, who held significant influence over the administration of justice and the making of laws. The feudal system was also reflected in the organization of local government, with lords exercising authority over their own domains and administering justice to their vassals. Despite its lasting influence, feudalism in England began to decline in the late medieval period. The Black Death, which struck England in the 14th century, decimated the population and disrupted the agricultural economy, leading to social and economic upheaval. The scarcity of labor and the growing demand for wages weakened the power of feudal lords and contributed to the erosion of the feudal system. The decline of feudalism in England was also influenced by wider political and economic changes. The growth of trade, the emergence of a cash economy, and the centralization of royal power all contributed to the weakening of feudal ties and the erosion of the traditional social order. The Wars of the Roses, a series of dynastic conflicts in the 15th century, further destabilized the feudal system and paved the way for the rise of a new political order..