The Black Death: The Role Of Feudalism In Medieval England

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Medieval England was initially struck in 1348 by The Black Death, and would continue to be harrowed by the fatal plague six times before the end of the century. The Black Death played a very significant role in transforming the social structure of Medieval England, collapsing feudalism through its direct consequences on the population and its indirect effects on the identity of the commonplace peasant. The Black Death was by nature a very fatal disease, and was always going to test the strength of the world at large. Feudalism itself had already begun to weaken in England, as tensions grew between the ruling classes and particularly the unfree-men. The Black Death gave the lower class valuable power, in the form of choice to labour, and also …show more content…
Feudalism relied on vassals being bound to their lords in exchange for service. This created a pyramidal social hierarchy where the King ruled supremely over all other men, and distributed land to nobles below him, who would do the same, before it eventually produced a small holding which would be given to a peasant in exchange for their agricultural service and fealty (Gasciogne, 2001; Sparkes, pg. 46-7, 2003; Wilson, pg. 1, 2013). Sparkes, an English professor of property law, is supported by both contemporary and primary sources (Trueman, n.d.; Anonimalle Chroncile, late 14th Century) when he claims that these villeins were bound to the land, and could not leave without their master’s consent (pg. 46, 2003). Reliable anthropological professor, Alan Macfarlane conducted a study which suggests this binding may not have been as strong as was previously thought (1978), although little progress has been made on the stagnant study since. The Black Death caused mass death which resulted in labour becoming a rare supply (Gottfried, pg. 61, 1986; Butler n.d.). Peasants were suddenly encouraged to move freely so that they could perform labour for the lord who paid the most. Wages increased drastically, which Gottfried provides an example of: “At Cuxham Manor in England, a ploughman who was paid 2 shillings a week in 1347 received 7 shillings in 1349, and 10 shilling, 6 pence, by 1350,” (pg. 94, 1986). Sparkes (2003) also comments on this inflation, as does primary source Boccacio (1351). Levine (2001) found that some labourers were even paid so well that they could refuse the offers of work provided to them later. Such inflation caused the nobility to panic, which prompted the release of two legal documents. In 1349, the King of England passed the Ordinance of Labour, which was reinforced in
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