...feudalism is “a system by which the holding of estates in land is made dependent upon an obligation to render military service to the king or feudal superior."¹ Both Japanese and English feudal systems were based on the imperative need for a constantly trained and well equipped military, ...

Because of not swearing an oath of fealty, Japanese vassals were far less hindered and controlled by their lords.² Although comparable in the major essences of overall structure, the feudal societies of Japan and England differed greatly in the separate relationships between lord and vassal.

Bound by serfdom, the peasant workforce was at the bottom of the social, political, and economic ladder.³

...his feudal government gained the Japanese name, bakufu, or tent government.⁴ In composing the first primitive feudal society in Japan, Yoritomo paralleled some methods of William the Conqueror...

...the customary oath of fealty, the nobleman knelt and placed his hands between his lord’s, thereby becoming his vassal, or baron. In return, the lord swore a corresponding oath of protection and granted a fief, usually tenure of land, to his baron vassal.⁵ In succession, this baron became a lord, granting pieces of his own fief to vassal knights for the same oath of fealty.

English knights took a chivalrous oath to “protect the weak, defenseless, and helpless, and fight for the general welfare of all.⁶ Although hinging on family honor, the samurai warrior code of conduct stressed “personal bravery and prowess, honor and loyalty…

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up¹Dictionary.com. "Feudalism." World History. 6 Feb. 2004 <http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=feudalism>

up²NA. "The Impact of the Norman Conquest." World History. 16 Feb. 2004. <http://www.donaldstark.co.uk/essays/1042-1330/ncimpact.html>

up³NA. "Feudalism." World History. 17 Feb. 2004. <http://www.historyonthenet.com/Medieval_Life/feudalism.htm>

up⁴Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia 2004. "Japan." World History. 9 Feb. 2004. <http://au.encarta.msn.com/text_761566679__1/Japan.html>

up⁵Wikipedia.com. "Fealty." World History. 6 Feb. 2004. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fealty>

up⁶Ross, David. "Medieval Knights and Warfare." World History. 16 Feb. 2004. <http://www.britainexpress.com/History/Knights_and_Fights.htm>

...feudalism is "a system by which the holding of estates in land is made dependent upon an obligation to render military service to the king or feudal superior."<a href="#end1">¹</a><a name="up1"></a> Both Japanese and English feudal systems were based on the imperative need for a constantly trained and well equipped military, ...

THAT CODE IN THE TEXT BODY LINKS TO ENDNOTE #1 WHICH LOOKS LIKE:

<p><a href="#up1">up</a><a name="end1">¹</a>Dictionary.com. "<a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=feudalism">Feudalism</a>." World History. 6 Feb. 2004 &lt;http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=feudalism&gt;