Feudalism vs. Feud — What's the Difference?

Feudalism, also known as the feudal system, was the combination of the legal, economic, military, and cultural customs that flourished in Medieval Europe between the 9th and 15th centuries. Broadly defined, it was a way of structuring society around relationships that were derived from the holding of land in exchange for service or labor.

A feud , referred to in more extreme cases as a blood feud, vendetta, faida, clan war, gang war, or private war, is a long-running argument or fight, often between social groups of people, especially families or clans. Feuds begin because one party (correctly or incorrectly) perceives itself to have been attacked, insulted, wronged, or otherwise injured by another.

A political and economic system of Europe from the 9th to about the 15th century, based on the holding of all land in fief or fee and the resulting relation of lord to vassal and characterized by homage, legal and military service of tenants, and forfeiture.

A prolonged and bitter quarrel or dispute

A political, economic, or social order resembling this medieval system.

Be engaged in a prolonged and bitter quarrel or dispute

A social system based on personal ownership of resources and personal fealty between a suzerain (lord) and a vassal (subject). Defining characteristics are direct ownership of resources, personal loyalty, and a hierarchical social structure reinforced by religion.

A bitter, often prolonged quarrel or state of enmity, especially such a state of hostilities between two families or clans.

The feudal system; a system by which the holding of estates in land is made dependent upon an obligation to render military service to the king or feudal superior; feudal principles and usages.

See fee.

The social system that developed in Europe in the 8th C; vassals were protected by lords who they had to serve in war

To carry on or perpetuate a bitter quarrel or state of enmity.

A state of long-standing mutual hostility.

(professional wrestling) A staged rivalry between wrestlers.

(obsolete) A combination of kindred to avenge injuries or affronts, done or offered to any of their blood, on the offender and all his race.

An estate granted to a vassal by a feudal lord in exchange for service.

(intransitive) To carry on a feud.

A combination of kindred to avenge injuries or affronts, done or offered to any of their blood, on the offender and all his race.

A contention or quarrel; especially, an inveterate strife between families, clans, or parties; deadly hatred; contention satisfied only by bloodshed.

A stipendiary estate in land, held of a superior, by service; the right which a vassal or tenant had to the lands or other immovable thing of his lord, to use the same and take the profits thereof hereditarily, rendering to his superior such duties and services as belong to military tenure, etc., the property of the soil always remaining in the lord or superior; a fief; a fee.

A bitter quarrel between two parties

Carry out a feud;