In the early Middle Ages, in the countries of Europe, Japan, China, India and parts of Africa, the Feudal System was established. It was established when the King came to the realization that he had too much of his own land to protect in battle, so he'd divide it amongst his Kingdom. Those who received his land were called vassals. Vassals were people below the King. Generally, the King gave mass amounts of land to the Nobles below him in return for knights for battle. The Nobles than gave land to the Knights who in return for land gave them protection. The knights then gave land to the Merchant, Craftspeople and Farmers who gave food and other items to the knights. The Merchants, Craftspeople and Farmers then gave land to the Peasants' for services. This is the basis of the Feudal System.