The main feature of a medieval feudal society was a strict class order. At the very top were kings and queens. They controlled entire countries and everyone had to follow the king's command. Below the king were vassals, also known as lords, who controlled smaller sections of land and were very rich. Lords had the right to order anyone on their land to do as they wanted, but also had the responsibility of raising soldiers whenever the ruler wanted to go to war. Below lords were priests and members of the Christian church, who were well-educated and had some power and wealth of their own. At the bottom of the social pyramid were the majority of Europeans: peasants. Peasants, also called serfs, had to raise food or make goods on their lord's land in exchange for protection. They had few, if any, rights, and often lived in poverty.