Which of these descriptions best matches feudalism? A.) a society based on long-lasting and recurring feuds between sections of society B.) a social structure where the administrative powers lay with the military authorities C.) a tiered social structure where members of the lower class served those of the tier above D.) a social structure where the administrative powers rested with the clergy

C) a tiered social structure where members of the lower class served those of the tier above

Feudalism was definitely a tiered system-there were four tiers made up of the king at the top followed by the nobles/lords followed by the knights followed by the peasants. The way this structure worked is that the tier above would provide land to those below, and those below would be indebted to those above. For instance, because knights would provide land and/or protection to peasants, the peasants would work on farms and provide knights food and/or other products. The knights, being on land that came from nobles, would promise to fight for them when needed and also provide the food and other products produced by the peasants. The nobles, in turn (in payment for the land the king had bestowed unto them), would supply the king with an army made of knights as well as the food and products that trickled up from the peasants. Thus, land granting would start with the king who give to nobles who would give to knights who would give to peasants for payment of the above mentioned.