by 
The Curious Bag
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Kings and queens existed before medieval times, and may have been called chieftains, emperors or empresses. In medieval Europe, kings and queens provided protection from foreign invaders, leading to the development of the feudal system.
Invasions
After the Roman Empire fell, invaders such as the Vandals infiltrated Western Europe. Local tribes--made up of farmers, herders and warriors--formed their own small kingdoms for protection.
Kings and Queens
The role of king began as a warrior who led the tribe in battle. Kings and queens often married to form alliances between different kingdoms.
Religion
Missionaries from Rome spread Christianity throughout Western Europe. Many of the converted kings pledged allegiance to the Catholic Church. The pope appointed kings to rule over large areas of land.
Feudalism
Continued invasions led to feudalism. Kings and queens divided their land among noble lords, who then gave land to their vassals. In exchange, the vassal, or knight, pledged his loyalty to the lords and promised to fight for them.
Protection
Peasants, also called serfs, paid rent and farmed the land, in return for protection. During battle, they took refuge in the king and queen's castle.
Source:
"Global History: Geopolitcal Patterns and Cultural Diffusion"; Sue Ann Kime and Paul Stich; 1999
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