An evaluation of the reasons for the decline of feudal society

The Black Death and Plague

The Black Death, also known as the Bubonic Plague, was responsible for significant social and economic change and is seen as a major contributor to the decline of feudalism.
It resulted in a significant decrease in the population, which led to a labour shortage. This meant that peasants could demand higher wages or better conditions, undermining the established feudal system.

As the feudal system provided lands in exchange for military service, periods of prolonged peace lessened the need for knights, thus weakening the feudal system.
Rebellions and uprisings, such as the Peasants’ Revolt in England in 1381, demonstrated the growing discontent with the feudal system and challenged the authority of the nobility.
Power struggles between kings and nobility played a role. Kings attempted to centralise power and limit the influence of nobles leading to conflicts that destabilised the feudal system.

The shift from a barter system to a money system meant that goods and services were more often being bought and sold rather than traded. This economic transition weakened the feudal system that relied on direct service and labour.
The emergence of a new merchant class and the growth of towns and cities contributed to the erosion of the feudal system. The growth of trade led to a monetary economy, weakening the base of feudalism which relied on land ownership and agriculture.

Advancements in military technology, such as the longbow and the cannon, made feudal knights less effective in warfare. This diminished the value of knightly service and, by extension, affected the feudal system.

The growth of centralised monarchies in parts of Europe, such as France and England, began to erode the feudal system. As Kings consolidated their power, they began to take back control from feudal lords and centralise administration.

The decline of feudal society during this period can be attributed to a combination of factors including, social changes brought on by the Black Death, political unrest in the form of rebellions and power struggles, economic shifts including changes in currency and the growth of trade, and military advancements. These elements combined to undermine the foundations of feudal society.