The Feudal System

• Aste the conquest, William claimed he was the only land owner
• William needed knights to put down revolts, but they were expensive
• William gave land to Tenants-in-chief


  If they promised to provide him with Knights
• Tenants-in-chief then parcelled their landholdings to knights
• Knights promised to serve William if called upon
• There were likely around 6 thousand knights in England
• Tenants had to forfeit land

  If they disobeyed William
• Tenants had to pay 'relief' to William if they wanted to pass their land to their son