Question

What is a characteristic of a feudal society?
A) Rapid social change
B) High literacy rate
C) Industrial-based economy
D) Rigid class structure

Answer 1

Hint: Feudalism is a term used to describe an economic, political, and social system that existed in Europe from the ninth to the fifteenth centuries. Because of the Middle Ages' chronic lack of efficient centralised governance, kings and local rulers handed property and security to lesser nobles known as vassals.

Complete answer:
The term "feudal society," as defined by Marc Bloch, encompasses not only the warrior nobility linked by vassalage, but also the peasantry bound by manorialism, and the Church's estates.

The feudal system thus encompasses society from top to bottom, while the "powerful and well-differentiated social group of the urban classes" grew to have a distinct place outside of the traditional feudal hierarchy to some extent.

The characteristic of a feudal society was a “rigid class system”. A feudal society's division followed a pyramidal design. This was mostly an agrarian society. The 'King' was at the pinnacle of society, but he was helpless. The 'Feudal Lord' was placed beneath him.
Then there were the 'Vassals,' also known as 'Independent Farmers.' They might pursue autonomous careers and travel from one location to the next based on their own hill.
The 'Serfs' were projected by the lowest strata of society. They didn't have their own land, nor were they self-sufficient. They toiled on the country that their Lord had given them. They toiled in their Lord's field without pay on one day of the week, which was known as 'Forced Labour.' They stayed in modest huts with their domestic animals, such as cows and pigs, who were in poor health. They had no choice but to live a terrible existence.

Feudalism was a socio-economic arrangement of society as a whole, not an industry-based society. There also existed low rates of literacy during the medieval period. If we talk about “rapid social change” it was not a characteristic of feudalism.

Hence, the correct option is ‘D’ i.e, Rigid class system.

Note: Peasants, labourers, and serfs held the land they worked from the seigneur, who provided their use of the land and his protection in exchange for personal services (particularly on the demesne, the property he kept for himself) and dues (especially payment in kind).