European Feudalism was based on Germanic law: Under these laws, the King would oversee everything, including Lords, taxes and laws. Under the king came the Tenant-in-chef; Lords and bishops, the Lords were wealthy and owned land, the Bishops pledged loyalty and money to the King. Then under them was the Sub-Tenants; Knights and lesser clergy, The knights protected the tenants-in-chef property and being, the Lesser clergy allocated spare land for the peasants. Finally down to the bottom of the European Feudal Hierarchy you have the Peasants, the common joes, who work in the field all day and pay taxes. This pyramid is based on compensation rather than revenge.