<P> This "fragmentation of powers" was not, however, systematic throughout France, and in certain counties (such as Flanders, Normandy, Anjou, Toulouse), counts were able to maintain control of their lands into the 12th century or later . Thus, in some regions (like Normandy and Flanders), the vassal / feudal system was an effective tool for ducal and comital control, linking vassals to their lords; but in other regions, the system led to significant confusion, all the more so as vassals could and frequently did pledge themselves to two or more lords . In response to this, the idea of a "liege lord" was developed (where the obligations to one lord are regarded as superior) in the 12th century . </P> <P> Feudalism itself decayed and effectively disappeared in most of Western Europe by about 1500, partly since the military power of kings shifted from armies consisting of the nobility to professional fighters (effectively reducing the nobility's power), but also because the Black Death reduced the nobility's hold on the lower classes . The system lingered on in parts of Central and Eastern Europe as late as the 1850s . Russia finally abolished serfdom in 1861 . </P> <P> However, even when the original feudal relationships had disappeared, there were many institutional remnants of feudalism left in place . Historian Georges Lefebvre explains how at an early stage of the French Revolution, on just one night of August 4, 1789, France abolished the long - lasting remnants of the feudal order . It announced, "The National Assembly abolishes the feudal system entirely ." Lefebvre explains: </P> <P> Without debate the Assembly enthusiastically adopted equality of taxation and redemption of all manorial rights except for those involving personal servitude--which were to be abolished without indemnification . Other proposals followed with the same success: the equality of legal punishment, admission of all to public office, abolition of venality in office, conversion of the tithe into payments subject to redemption, freedom of worship, prohibition of plural holding of benefices...Privileges of provinces and towns were offered as a last sacrifice . </P>

Mention the period indicating downfall of feudalism in europe