Celtic society was not egalitarian tribal collective. It was hierarchy—layer upon layer of obligation, allegiance, and mutual dependence binding individuals into complex networks. The clientage system (céilsine in Irish law) created these networks, defining who owed what to whom, who could command and who must obey, who protected and who served.
But this was not simple feudalism (which came later, with different rules). Celtic clientage was contractual—negotiated between parties, witnessed by community, time-limited, and revocable under specific circumstances. Both patron and client had rights and obligations. The relationship was reciprocal, not unilateral exploitation.
A lord provided protection, land-use rights, legal support, and material resources. The client provided military service, labor, political support, and tribute. Both parties benefited. Both could suffer if the relationship soured. And both operated within framework of law that limited arbitrary action.