If the feudal system led to a rigid class structure with distinct roles and limited social mobility, what was the underlying cause of this social structure according to historical materialism?

Historical materialism is a way of understanding history that focuses on how the economy and material conditions shape society and its structures. According to this view, the feudal system's rigid class structure arose from the need for land ownership and agricultural production. In feudal societies, land was the main source of wealth, and this created distinct roles: kings, nobles, knights, and peasants, each with specific duties and limited opportunities to change their status. For example, a peasant working on a lord’s land had to give a portion of their crops in exchange for protection, which kept them tied to their social position. This system reflected the economic relationships of the time, showing how material needs can create and maintain social hierarchies.