e king, having commended himself by some service, was protected and provided for by the crown--earning a state of vassalage. The great majority of vassals simply lived on the lord's own manor, but higher servants of the crown eventually began to receive grants of land. When the emperors needed an army "they adapted the system of vassalage to include military as well as non-military service" (Barber, Reign 11).
This new connection between vassalage and holdings of land (known as fiefs) moved feudal societies toward their next stage. The granting of land did not technically mean that kings gave up their ownership and, technically, a disloyal vassal could have his lands retaken by the king. On a vassal's death, as well, his holdings reverted to the king. But, as early as the mid-tenth century "the fief had already become a hereditary patrimony for all practical purposes" (Cantor 200).
It was some time, however, until the concept of knight-service was understood as an individual and uniquely important function. The process by which landed wealth
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