It was strictly an aristocratic institution.

It fostered the spirit of pride and bore harshly at times upon the serf and the man of low degree.

But its harsher features were softened by the teachings of the Church.

When it was at its height, voices of Popes like Alexander III and of Doctors like St.Thomas Aquinas, were lifted to proclaim the equality of all men in the sight of God.

At the altar, serf and master, count or cottier, knelt side by side.