Europe in great upheaval
The decline of feudalism was precipitated by the onset of towns and extensive trade and commerce. Feudal rule was further challenged by the fighting between church and state, and between different states, such as the prolonged war between England and France that lasted on and off for one hundred years. In the middle of the war a massive plague broke out. Although not sufficient to stop the war, the plague sufficiently put great pressure on the European feudal lords to change their way of treating their serfs, accelerating the downfall of feudalism. The Hundred Years War (1337-1453) and the Bubonic Plague (Black Death) (1347- 1500) had a tremendous impact on European political and economic life.
1. A Hundred Years War (1337-1453)
- King Edward III of England’s claim on the French crown because of the lord/vassal dispute between him and King Philip VI of France.
- 1337-60, English victory and reacquisition of Aquitaine.
- Tide turned after the French were assisted by peasant girl Joan of Arc, and eventually England was expelled, keeping only Calais.
- French king emerged stronger than ever.
2. The Black Death (1347-1500)
The Black Death, starting in 1347 in Italy, spread to Britain in 1349, and recurred about every ten/twenty years to 1527, then more sporadically until the late 17th century.
3. Impact of the Black Death on farming
Because of the shortage of labor, many manors began to charge rent rather than service. Land transactions became more frequent. Wage earners also pressed for more raises.
The newly available paying jobs helped even the lesser peasant families to acquire additional land often by banding together to group lease tracts of manor. Leading villages even controlled manorial offices and received money wages. Throughout the 15th century the better off peasant families freed themselves from serfdom by defaulting on service and pay a money fine.
4. Political conflicts in rural and urban areas
The gains made by peasants and some workers in the cities led to backlashes in both the country and the city, when the king and nobles tried to fight back the demands for higher wages.
Peasant revolts in France (The Jacquerie) (1358) and in England (1381, Tyler). Industrial revolts in Ghent (1381), Rouen(1382), Florence(the Ciompi revolt, 1378).