The Black Death had an important impact on the social structure in Medieval Europe both immediately and in the long term as the drastic decrease in labour resulted in the peasants fighting for a fairer governing system. Their job levels increased and through that, they were able to change their social status. The scarcity of peasants led to the breakdown of the feudal system and in order to recover the system, strict laws were placed. This began two major revolts: The Jacquerie, 1358 in France and The Peasants’ Revolt, 1381 in England. The revolts and the scarcity of workers led to many positive and negative changes in the social structure. It changed the progression of the social status in European culture to this day. The Black
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Each class were to swear loyalty to the one above in order to gain in return. The peasants benefited little as they were the lowest social class that held no power. They were given small fiefs to work on and minimal food. Feudalism, a system of reciprocity, ensured peace and stability within Europe until the plague was present. The Feudal System was disrupted after the outbreak of the Black Death. Surviving peasants changed their outlook on life as they believed they were spared by God. The scarcity of peasants after the plague led to a deficiency in labour. It became a valuable commodity as landlords competed for workers and tenants. They offered the peasants pay that was more than triple before the Black Death and rent that was half the original (Gunnell, 2012). Archaeologists have also dug up metal cookware that was found after the outbreak of the plague as opposed to the clay pots peasants used before (Gunnell, 2012). The economy collapsed and landowners started selling their livestock and grains at a low price for the fear of them becoming worthless. Consequently, peasants began neglecting the governing jsystem and gained a huge amount of freedom for themselves. In desperation to recover the system, the government additional …show more content…
Not only was England at war, but France also had a deadly revolt called the Jacquerie, 1358 (Froissart, 1968). Between 1350 and 1390, uprisings took place in many other countries, including Flanders, Italy, Germany and Spain (Cowie, 1972). Many of the revolts failed against the government, but, in the long term, many aspects of feudalism were changed. Afraid of the workers, landowners freed most of their servants and began to treat the peasants equitably. Also, taxes were never raised for the fear of another violent revolt (Cowie, 1972). These revolts marked the breakdown of the feudal system and was one of the major consequences of the Black Death. The Black Death had an impact on the social structure. If it had not occurred, the peasants would not have fought for a fairer governing system. The major political changes after the Black Death and the social unrest of the peasants resulted in the end of the Middle Ages, which marked the end of Feudalism as well. The constant uprisings led to King Richard taking steps to abolish serfdom and prejudicial treatment against the peasants. Thus, the social structure of Medieval Europe was changed due to a deadly epidemic
Each class were to swear loyalty to the one above in order to gain in return. The peasants benefited little as they were the lowest social class that held no power. They were given small fiefs to work on and minimal food. Feudalism, a system of reciprocity, ensured peace and stability within Europe until the plague was present. The Feudal System was disrupted after the outbreak of the Black Death. Surviving peasants changed their outlook on life as they believed they were spared by God. The scarcity of peasants after the plague led to a deficiency in labour. It became a valuable commodity as landlords competed for workers and tenants. They offered the peasants pay that was more than triple before the Black Death and rent that was half the original (Gunnell, 2012). Archaeologists have also dug up metal cookware that was found after the outbreak of the plague as opposed to the clay pots peasants used before (Gunnell, 2012). The economy collapsed and landowners started selling their livestock and grains at a low price for the fear of them becoming worthless. Consequently, peasants began neglecting the governing jsystem and gained a huge amount of freedom for themselves. In desperation to recover the system, the government additional …show more content…
Not only was England at war, but France also had a deadly revolt called the Jacquerie, 1358 (Froissart, 1968). Between 1350 and 1390, uprisings took place in many other countries, including Flanders, Italy, Germany and Spain (Cowie, 1972). Many of the revolts failed against the government, but, in the long term, many aspects of feudalism were changed. Afraid of the workers, landowners freed most of their servants and began to treat the peasants equitably. Also, taxes were never raised for the fear of another violent revolt (Cowie, 1972). These revolts marked the breakdown of the feudal system and was one of the major consequences of the Black Death. The Black Death had an impact on the social structure. If it had not occurred, the peasants would not have fought for a fairer governing system. The major political changes after the Black Death and the social unrest of the peasants resulted in the end of the Middle Ages, which marked the end of Feudalism as well. The constant uprisings led to King Richard taking steps to abolish serfdom and prejudicial treatment against the peasants. Thus, the social structure of Medieval Europe was changed due to a deadly epidemic