Embedded Files
(Manchester Medieval Sources) Rosemary Horrox - pages-292-295 (1).pdfLand Prices
The death of about half the population meant the demand for resources, such as land, was cut in half and with the supply remaining the same this lead to the dropping in price of those resources.
Significance
This cheaper land offered opportunities for poorer families to own land and since in this era all economic flourishing flowed from land ownership this was a huge step up for lower classes. However, given the threat to the upper class that this new upward mobility presented, class tension increased.
About the Document
This primary document was written in 1351 after Edward the third was offered advowsons. Edward ordered an investigation into the value of these advowsons, which partially depended on the price of land, before and after the plague. This document shows a direct comparison of land values before and after the plague.
1:14:45-1:19:53
Documentary
This section of a documentary is another telling of this Land accruing phenomenon. More death meant fewer workers in the fields, this led to a major rise in wages. People who once were labeled peasants now could afford to purchase land and therefore increase their socioeconomic status. Peasants owning their own land led to higher class nobles forced to harvest their own crops and lower their standards of luxurious lifestyles. This degradation in lifestyle was not met with open arms and caused class tension and pillaging.
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