From humble beginnings to positions of immense power, feudal lords once dominated the landscape. Their strength stemmed from controlling territory, upon which they built their footholds. They exacted taxes and offered protection to vassals, forging a system of obligation. Yet, the very foundations upon which their power were built proved fragile.

Rochambeau, viewing defeat unavoidable, procrastinated right until the last probable minute, but ultimately was forced to surrender to the British commander—by the top of the month the garrison was starving, having arrived at the conclusion at a council of war that surrender was the only real way to escape from this "spot of death".[113] Commodor