What occurences led to the breakdown of feaudalism in Europe after 1,000 C.E.?

Question

I know that the black death led to the breakdown of feaudalism, but is there any other events that are very important?

Answer 1

Yes, there were a lot of things going on at that time. First off, England had just gotten a new ruler, William the Conqueror, and he had some new ideas. Also, while it didn't officially occur until later on, people were already beginning to question things and ask how more instead of always asking what caused this or why. So it was just a culmination of all that.

Answer 2

Actually, William the Conqueror introduced feudalism into England, where there was none before 1066. In fact, he codified feudalism into a more perfect system than had evolved in France.

After 1000, the population began to increase in Europe. That led to an increase in the number of people in the West. Also, nobles began to settle land in Eastern Europe. There began to be a market for serfs who left their lands in Western Europe to take up farms under more liberal terms in the East. There were actually agents (I forget the Latin term) who would recruit serfs in the West and settle them in the East. There began a new city life in the West. Serfs sometimes left their lands for the new cities. There arose a proverb, "City air makes free." If a serf could survive in a city for a year, then he was free.