How did the chaos of western Europe after the fall of Rome contribute to the distinction of classes of people?

Question

For example, how did this define the relationships between lords and servants; nobles and commons.

Answer 1

My theory is that the need for protection from attack was the genesis of the feudal system. A person is granted certain rights, such as the right to farm land, in return for military or other service. At the lowest level the service is personal. As you go higher up the chain the service is the provision of a set number of men.

The beauty of the scheme is that, by securing personal loyalty at one level the loyalty is secured at all levels. The danger is the distribution of power to noblefolk who can command loyalty at levels below them but need not pass that loyalty upstream.

Answer 2

Feudal system was created out of it instead of another Republic as Rome was before it became an Empire. Commons became serfs or people to serve and supply Nobility with money through taxation though sometimes they were squeezed hard by heavy taxes. Structure was King,Church,Nobility,Knights,infantry soldiers,peasants. Soldiers were not there just to defend against or invade other kingdoms sometimes they were used against peasents who rebelled against unjust treatment from either The Nobility or a King or Queen.