Screen reader users click here for an Alternate Activity. What aspect of the political and social system of feudalism had the greatest effect on the availability of soldiers to defend a castle?

A. the vassal's payments in products to his sworn lord

B. the vassal's promise to provide service to the lord

C. the lord's right to grant land to farm to the vassal

D. the lord's obligation to protect his sworn vassal

Answer: B. the vassal's promise to provide service to the lord

Feudalism was a social system that was dominant in medieval Europe, between the 9th and 15th centuries. It was a way of structuring societies so that the nobility held lands from the Crown, in exchange for military service. In turn, vassals were tenants of the nobles. The serfs (peasants) lived on their lord's land in exchange for labor, service and a share of produce. In exchange, the lord promised to provide military protection to the serfs.

Responsibilities were based around the ideas of protection and service. Because of a vassal's commitment to provide service for his lord, large armies could be easily gathered. This fulfilled the promise towards the lord (and ultimately the Crown), and also provide the military protection that serfs were owed.