The barons who received the land did not pay rent as such but took an oath to give the king faithful service, the primary obligation being assistance in war. By custom, a kiss on the mouth from the king sealed the contract. The vassals, or barons, when called were bound to come with all of their men fully armed, equipped and provisioned. However, they were required to serve only 30 to 40 days, so wars in those times were usually resolved in one furious battle, disastrous to one side or both.

The barons, in turn, had their retainers, free tenants and serfs. The retainers were fighting men who lived in the castle along with the laird’s family and domestic servants. The ten.ants and serfs who worked the land and tended the livestock lived in houses outside the castle walls. Feudalism was an improvement over the old clan system. While the people who received the land were required to give military service on demand, they, in turn, received protection. The barons supported the king in his military ventures and the king protected the barons and their own vassals—even though it was with their own forces.

The system contributed to the welding of the four kingdoms