1. Political conditions: The downfall of the Roman Empire resulted in great confusion in Western Europe. A large number of small states developed. There was absence of a central authority. Due to feudalism, the powers of the king were decentralized. These were not shared by the king and the lords.

The king had no direct contact with the people. Feudal lords cared little for the welfare of the people. They remained busy in internecine battles. This resulted in the destruction of political unity.

2. Social conditions: The new social and economic system that arose in Europe in the medieval times is known as the feudal system. It was essentially a rural system. The king was the owner of the land. He distributed land among the feudal lords known as Dukes and Earls. These lords further distributed a part of their land among petty lords, known as Barons. They provided the Duke with military services. The lowest unit of feudal lords was known as Knights.

The lowest class in the system was that of peasants. Peasants were of three classes- Freeholders, Villeins and Serfs. The King carried his administration through the lords. Each feudal lord was all powerful within his fief.

3. Economic life: Feudal economic life was based on agriculture. The economic life under this system was predominantly rural. The peasants worked on the land and feudal lords got a share of the peasant's produce. Towns and trade played very little role in the life of the people.