The Decline of Feudalism

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The Decline of Feudalism The factors that led to the decline of feudalism in Europe between the 11th and 14th centuries were the crusades, the new money economy, the growth of towns, the Black Death, and the Hundred Years’ War. Feudalism began in the AD 900s in northern France. Feudalism is a decentralized government. It is based on how nobles interact with other nobles. In feudalism the King gives out land, Nobles receive land and take an oath of loyalty and also receive rent from peasants, knights take an oath of loyalty and are in the royal army. In feudalism peasants pay rent to nobles, and live and work on fiefs. The crusades had a great effect on the decline of feudalism. One effect the crusades had on the decline of feudalism was it gave more power to the King. Also an effect was to get money for weapons nobles sold their estates. Another effect was that the king gained land when nobles died in battle and didn’t have an heir (Farah 321). Those are a few of the effects of the crusades on the decline of feudalism. The money economy is another reason for the decline of feudalism. An effect of the new system is that Kings, nobles, and clergy became dependent on money. Instead of feudal services they accepted money. They also had to sell their land to pay off taxes and loans. Another effect was that serfs and peasants could buy their freedom (Farah 323). Those are the reasons the money economy affected the decline of feudalism. The growth of towns was another factor in the decline of feudalism. One effect was that serfs and peasants can buy their freedom so they move to towns because they are safer and protection. Another effect was that nobles had to look for a new serf or peasant or even pay for one. Also an effect was that if a peasant or serf moved to a town they could get jobs and not have to work on a fief again (Farah 323). That’s why
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