How did feudalism evolve?

Answer 1

The beginnings of Feudalism are obscure. Powerful men with powerful armies eventually gained control of the lands in early Europe. Feudalism was grounded on a simple principle: the land is the state and therefore the head of state (the king) owns the land. All the variations of Feudalism flowed from that principle. The king granted estates to the nobility in return for service. The nobility then became the local rulers and established their own hierarchy's. Therefore, the country was governed by those lords, and Kings eventually became figureheads. The nobility granted land rights and protection to vassals in return for service. Those rights descended to serfs and tenants in return for services and villages evolved around the estates. As rights descended there was a diminution of status. To work the land, keep the masses poor and the gentry rich

Answer 2

Feudalism evolved in response to a basic need for protection.