If not for these invasions, these weak points could've gone unnoticed for a long time. Something needed to be done, but what? Charles Martel in Gaul, then King Alfred in England, and finally Henry the Fowler of Germany provided horses for some of their soldiers to fight off the raids into their lands. It would take many years for these soldiers to master fighting on horseback, so they needed training grounds. The landowners wanted to keep their land, the soldiers needed room to get better, and the free people wanted protection and someplace to stay. The development of feudalism began. Land was granted to soldiers in exchange for military service, and dependant workers were hired (usually from the church) to farm and work on these estates. This concept became very popular and it encouraged others to seek out aristocrats to offer service and receive protection. A lord would grant land to what was called a vassal in exchange for military service. The vassal would take an oath and promise to protect the lord in war and in court. These vassals would then have vassals of their own who would stay on the benefice (granted land) in trade for services. Landowners that didn't own much but still wanted protection would give their land to a wealthier lord in exchange for a place to live (on the property they gave to the lord). Caused by warfare and insufficient control in the Carolingian empire, this system, which was helping politics and military, seemed to be working. Now lords were surrounded by people caring for and protecting their lands. Vassals were united to protect one lord whom they looked at as a leader and a peer. New fighting styles and weapons were needed since the techniques of their enemies were more effective. Learning as a team and learning to be mounted warriors took a long time, but was very important to their success. This was a very significant time, for it was the birth of cavalries and knights in Europe.
