Hierarchy - GCSE History Definition

Hierarchy refers to a system of organising people or groups in a society according to their status, power, or authority, often depicted as levels or ranks from the most to the least powerful. In medieval England, society was built around a clear hierarchy called the feudal system. At the top was the king, followed by nobles, knights, and then peasants at the bottom. People believed this order was natural and part of the Great Chain of Being — the idea that God had given everyone a fixed place in society, from kings to animals. Understanding hierarchy helps GCSE students see how power and society were organised in the past, and why most people accepted their position without question. It also explains who made decisions, who had rights, and how people’s roles shaped historical events.