Feudal society during the Middle Ages usually was as follows:
TOP: Monarchs: held the highest political authority in the land
Clergy, held the highest spiritual authority
Nobles, received lands called a fief and part of its production from the king
Knights, militarily protected a nobleman's large fief in exchange for a smaller fief
Artisans, manufactured all kinds of goods (shoes, jewelry, high quality textiles)
BOTTOM: Serfs, worked the lands of a lord (noble or knight) in exchange for protection from marauders and raiders
