Middle Ages Regents Practice Exam 2025 - Free Regents Practice Questions and Study Guide

During the feudal period in Europe, power and social status were intrinsically linked to land ownership. The feudal system was characterized by a hierarchy where lords, vassals, and serfs played distinct roles, and land served as the central resource that defined wealth and influence. Those who owned large estates had significant power, as they could control the resources, manage peasant labor, and strategically align themselves through alliances formed by granting land to vassals in exchange for loyalty and military service.

Land ownership provided the basis for economic stability and offered a means to generate income through agricultural production. The more land an individual possessed, the more authority they had within the feudal hierarchy. This contrasted sharply with other factors like money, education, or the ownership of slaves, which were not as critical in determining one's standing during this era. In medieval society, while wealth could be important, it was primarily derived from land, making land possession the true measure of power and position.