One important feature of early feudal society in France was the system of vassalage. The nobles were vassals of the king, and peasants were vassals of the landowners. A nobleman accepted the king as his seigneur (senior), and they made mutual promises – the lord would protect the vassal, who would be loyal to him. This relationship involved elaborate rituals and exchange of vows taken on the Bible in a church. The vassal received a written charter or a staff or even a clod of earth as a symbol of the land given by the master.

Another feature was the privileged status of the nobility. The noble had absolute control over his property in perpetuity. He could raise troops called 'feudal levies'. The lord held his own courts of justice and could even coin his own money. This gave nobles significant political and judicial powers over the peasants, who performed labour services for the lords in exchange for military protection.