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Bastard feudalism
Supposed socioeconomic system of the late Middle Ages / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Bastard feudalism" is a somewhat controversial term invented by 19th-century historians to characterise the form feudalism took in the Late Middle Ages, primarily in England in the late Middle Ages. Its distinctive feature is that middle-ranking figures rendered military, political, legal, or domestic service in return for money, office, or influence. As a result, the gentry began to think of themselves as the men of their lord rather than of the king.[citation needed] Individually, they are known as retainers, and collectively as the "affinity" of the lord, among other terms.
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