Social Structure Of Medieval Europe example essay topic

The Black Death and its Effect on Medieval Europe The Black Death is the name later given to the epidemic of plague that ravaged Europe between 1347 and 1351. Between those 4 years, the plague wiped out a third of the European population from England to northern Africa. The effects of such great mortality on the medieval culture and society were enormous. Depopulation caused by the Black Death disrupted the social structure of medieval Europe, promoting those living to break free of the feudal hierarchy, and question the beliefs of Christianity; all of which increased the awareness of social individuality. For the first time in history the scales tipped in favor of the peasantry, allowing them to influence the structure of society like never before. The labor shortage was very severe, especially in the short term, and although the government attempted to fix wages, peasants took advantage by demanding higher pay and better conditions.

Serfs were no longer tied to one master; if one left the land, another lord would instantly hire them. The lords had to make changes in order to make the situation more profitable for the peasants and to keep them on their land. In general, wages outpaced prices and the standard of living was subsequently raised. As a result the out look on life was not always one of hard work, but of self-indulgence from which developed the saying, Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow you may die. As a consequence of the blurring financial distinctions, social distinctions sharpened.

The fashions of the nobility became more extravagant in order to emphasize the social standing of the person wearing the clothing. The shock of the Plague caused many peasants to demand a restructuring of society, and they revolted when the aristocracy attempted to resist the changes brought about by the decrease in population. In 1358, the peasantry of northern France rioted, and in 1378 guild members revolted. Although these revolts were not entirely successful, the fact that they had happened at all demonstrated that peasants had become slightly more empowered. The church played an enormous role in medieval life, but with so much death and suffering suddenly appearing in every corner of Europe, many questioned Christian prospects and concepts about life. Controversy in the church had already struck in 1300 when Pope Boniface V had attempted to enforce papal authority on kings.

When the plague hit many looked to god and the church for answers as to how to end the epidemic, but the plague only continued to spread, and with every family and village it destroyed, faith in the church diminished. The escalating pre-plague problems of the church, and the sudden scarcity of educated clergy, effected those who did continue to prey. The lack of devotion and faith to the church that the new clergy demonstrated only emphasized that death had effected all levels of society, and had begun to slightly level the gap between the everyday individual, and the holy clergyman. Although the plague lasted for just under 5 years, its effects were felt for centuries to come.

The level of mortality led people to question the power of their prayers and essentially the clergy and Christianity in general. The rapid decrease of population had a started a domino effect in society, influencing the worker population that led to economic restructuring, the increasing power peasants, and an increasingly smaller gap between the wealthy and poor. Survivors had the ability to start again with low land values, high wages, and a society beginning to lean towards democracy. The post-Plague world was one of vastly increased opportunity for inventive and capable individuals. While the Black Death killed off medieval society, it gave birth to the beginnings of the sense of independence and upward mobility of the modern day world.