Editing Feudalism (section)

===The Three Estates===
Feudal social structure is built on an idea of static inheritable positions in the hierarchy, divided broadly into three estates, each of which would possess certain rights and serve a certain purpose in society. 

* <big>[[File:Catheo.png]] The Clergy</big>

Represents the spiritual authority of the realm, loyal to the Pope rather than a worldly monarch. It serves a wide range of social functions, such as registering marriages, documenting births and deaths, etc. Not being subordinate to any temporal power, the church however owns a significant amount of land and maintains an independent ecclesiastical hierarchy.

* <big>[[File:Arist.png]] The Nobility</big>

Consists of the hereditary landowning elite of the realm, characterized by the system of vassalage, whereby a vassal would swear service to his liege, usually in return for a land tenure or a fief. Usually comprising less than 1% of the total population, nobility serves administrative and military functions, with the latter however being usually reserved for the members of the lower nobility, such as the knights.

* <big>[[File:Farm.png]] The Third Estate</big>

It is an umbrella term, referring to anyone who doesn't belong to the first two estates, but mainly consisted of peasantry and townsfolk. It is the biggest though the least privileged estate usually comprising more than 95% of total population and serving a wide range of functions including, but not limited to: land cultivation, artisanry and trade.