Final answer:
A 'fief' is land given to a vassal by a lord during the feudal era. The vassal in return provided services and loyalty to his lord. This land helped establish the social and economic structure of the time.
Step-by-step explanation:
A fief is a piece of land that a vassal, or lesser lord, would receive from a higher lord. This practice was prevalent particularly during the period of feudalism, where the land, known as a fiefdom, provided resources for the vassal. His primary responsibility in return was servitude and protection to his lord, including military service and attending court when summoned. This land was not just for personal sustenance, but a social and economic bond that obligated the vassal to the lord.
For example, in medieval Europe, lords granted lands to fighters as their fiefs, and these fighters became the vassals of the lord. The feudal societies presented a strict hierarchical system, where power structure was largely based on land ownership.
Uniquely, the Catholic Church also acted as a powerful 'Lord' in this respect, owning vast tracts of land, and receiving rents and tithes from their vassal populations. The vassal was bound to this land and could not easily disassociate from the responsibilities this tie entailed, thus making the fiefdom an integral part of the socio-political structure of the time.
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