Medieval Labor’s Role in Feudalism’s Decline

The restructuring of the labor class during the late medieval age contributed to the decline of feudalism. The Black Death killed between 30% to 50% of the entire population of Europe. The unparalleled decline in population resulted in the empowerment of workers and provided financial opportunity in urban centers. The change of warfare represents a retooling of the feudal pyramid. The transition from medieval to early modern warfare saw the emerging obsolescence of knights and birth of gunpowder. These changes are best represented by the Hundred Years’ War and the beginning of a more centralized monarchy. The movement of power away from the land-based feudal structure towards emerging urban centers and the rise of nation-states was catalyzed by demographic shifts, economic transformation, and evolving military tactics, contributed directly to the decline of feudalism. This shift fundamentally reshaped societal dynamics and power structures, laying the groundwork for the modern world we inhabit.