SSC MTS EXAM

Detailed explanation-1: -A fief (/fiːf/; Latin: feudum) was a central element in medieval contracts based on feudal law. It consisted of a form of property holding or other rights granted by an overlord to a vassal, who held it in fealty or “in fee” in return for a form of feudal allegiance, services, and/or payments.

Detailed explanation-2: -In exchange for the use of the fief and the protection of the lord, the vassal would provide some sort of service to the lord. There were many varieties of feudal land tenure, consisting of military and non-military service.

Detailed explanation-3: -The fief constituted the central institution of feudal society. The fief normally consisted of land to which a number of unfree peasants were attached and was supposed to be sufficient to support the vassal and to secure his knight service for the lord. Its size varied greatly, according to the income it could provide.