☠️The Black Death and Its Effects

How a plague reshaped society in medieval Britain.

1. The feudal system

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   The Normans used a system of land ownership called feudalism. The king gave land to his lords in return for help in war, and most peasants were serfs tied to the land.

2. Plague arrives 1348

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   A disease, probably a form of plague known as the Black Death, came to Britain. It was one of the worst disasters ever to strike the country.

   then in 1348

3. A third die

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   One third of the population of England died, with a similar proportion in Scotland and Wales.

   and as a result

4. Labour shortages

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   With fewer people, there were labour shortages and peasants began to demand higher wages.

   the smaller population meant

5. New social classes

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   New social classes appeared, including owners of large areas of land later called the gentry, and people left the countryside for the towns.

   which led to

6. A stronger middle class

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   Growing wealth in the towns led to the development of a strong middle class.