I have something to say about the use of the terms ‘feudalism' and ‘serfdom’, insisting that serfdom (as defined in Ill.iv) can exist quite in¬ dependently of anything that can properly be called ‘feudalism’, and ending with a few words on the Marxist concept of the ‘feudal mode of production’

the merciless exploitation of the great majority for the benefit of a very few finally led to the collapse of much of the empire — a process too often described as if it were something that just happened’ naturally, whereas in fact it was due to the deliberate actions of a ruling class that monopolised both wealth and political power and governed... See more