How was the Medieval concept of power and equality different from our contemporary concept?

During the Medieval times the people were divided into classes in a system called Feudalism. It was not called feudalism then, but was an actual way of life. Feudalism is a social system were peasant farming is the main form of production. It is technically not slavery but the servants are tied to the land. In feudalism there are more serfs than land owners. The Catholic Church is a very big part of that equality even though it is the same church that was powerful in the Medieval times. In modern day society we believe that everyone is equal although those who lived in Medieval times thought otherwise.
The feudal system was a type of ladder. At the very bottom where the serfs at the top were the kings. In the middle were knights, lords, priests, and clergymen. Unlike an actual ladder though, if there is no way of moving up. What ever class one was born into was the class they died out of. Those at the top of the ladder looked down upon those "below" them. They believed themselves as better and acted almost as gods because they held the lives of serfs in their hands. Although most of the people did not see any change coming to them in their lifetime, some knew that that lifestyle was not good. "Oh execrable crime, wretched dishonor, men who remind us of beasts, to sell into slavery their nearest relative because of their necessities." (St Wulfstan). Although feudalism is "techincally" not slavery the serfs were barely paid if at all. Which in modern day is slavery and illegal. In modern society anyone and everyone can make a change with their lives and pursue a better life.
Human beings were sold like cattle and every life had a price, that price depended on status. If your family member was murdered you could get compensation from the murderer. Today the only compensation is a court case. A serf was about 200 shillings which was about 20-40 cows. A noblemen's life was about 1200 shillings. In Medieval times the more power someone had the better they were. Today how much power a person has does not affect whether or not they are better than anyone. In fact, it is quite rude to think of someone as better than another.
In contemporary society everyone is equal and power is subject to change.
St Wulfstan "Traffic in Slaves: England1065-1066." Medieval Sourcebook. Web. 12 Apr. 2010.
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/1066serfs3.html

"Feudalism." Medival Sourcebook. Fordham Edu. Web. 14 Apr. 2010. .