The Feudal System In The European Medieval Ages

The Feudal System was a societal structure established in the European Medieval Ages. It involves the King’s distribution of his land amongst his subjects, as a form of loan. It was a tool used by rulers to ensure the loyalty of their country as well as the loyalty of those who may otherwise wish to overthrow his reign. Apart from this, the subjects benefitted from the system as it ensured that they would have at least a small piece of land, which was necessary as 98% of the medieval population were farmers. The Feudal System was successful to an extent, and the Justice System helped to establish it as such. However, like any system, it had its weaknesses- such as diseases like the Black Death- and was doomed to fail at some point because …show more content…
Over half of the population was killed between 1347 and 1350, leaving many job opportunities for the peasants who were left. Not only this but there was a higher demand for people to work, as there were less people who could and therefore peasants could demand higher payments or negotiate better conditions etc. This lead to the peasants being far more prosperous than ever before but also left a trail of angry noblemen and lords in their wrath. The Black Death caused Lords to no longer be able to manage, protect and produce what they otherwise would be able to and whole towns and cities shut down, causing a loss of necessary jobs. Things like the hue and cry and tithings no longer worked properly. It was certainly much harder to hold a manorial court with people who were afraid to leave their houses and so the system could not work as usual. As lords lost their power, peasants gained confidence and as the Peasants’ Revolt began and the Feudal System crumbled to pieces. Overall, the Black Death was completely disastrous for the Feudal System but good for the peasants who