How Did The Black Death Lead To The Decline Of Serfs

Serfs were people, or as most would call them, peasants that were “bound to the land”. They were not owned by one singular person and they weren’t technically slaves. More so, they were people who owed their lord and did all for the lord. They would be given land and that is where they would work and farm. They were allowed to do almost nothing without permission. They could not go to school, get married, or own land, without permission from the lord. Although the decline of serfdom had already been in effect before the Black Death, it was what drastically declined it. The Black Death, which killed and affected so many people in the 14th century, had an impact on the social classes and the population of peasants. They made up 80-90% of the population, but because of the Black Death, so many died. Not only did peasants die but also important townsfolk in different villages died and it increased wages, drops in tax registers, etc. As that was happening, there was also a decline in labor supply, which in return increased the price and demand for labor.

What came with the damage that the Black Death caused was a shortage of wage labor which in return caused a decrease …show more content…
Labor was very short and, therefore, expensive. The mass of inflation was abrupt. Serfs are no longer tied down to just one master. They could leave the land that was once their “ home “ to wherever they were. With this being an option, it lets the serfs negotiate deals for themselves. Even able to revive pay, unlike before. Which is a process of the lords doing scouting to hire them. Due to the land labors and the need for serfs, the need for serfs was raised expeditiously. The demographic of serfs has undergone big changes. Their political power had heavily increased. Such as holding courts in the communities. This whole action created new social classes for them. The previous social class was the king at the top, with peasants at the bottom