There were regional kings and High Kings that sat on large Iron Thrones made from the swords of their slain enemies.
The hierarchy doesn't tell about your wealth or power.
It is only a title.
During feudalism, Kings where most of the time less powerful that rich Duchies.
Err... Obama is less wealthy than a number of Americans, what's your point?
Obama is not a government. What's your point ?
My point was that (1) Europe used to be extremely decentralized for most of its History and (2) that the title of "King" did not mean that you own anything.
Sorry, I consider myself pretty hardcore libertarian. Feudalism does not really connote freedom. Sure, if you were a lord or king or whatnot, it was probably a pretty fun time (until your rival ran a sword through your gizzards) but the common man had it pretty rough. It wasn't really until firearms came along and started to level the playing field that that was redressed.
However, there were regions and times where freedom was more prevalent and we can see its positive effects within the societies that exist currently. Control? Soviet Russia, North Korea, Communist China. More freedom? South Korea, current hybrid China. Even more freedom? 20th century US and UK. Bit less freedom? Declining 21st century US and UK.
Yes that's right if you compare to now but in Feudalism, people were no more "slaves" like they were during the Roman Empire.
It was still very hard but they had the right to own land and trade which make a big difference.