Question

How did political changes in England weaken feudalism?

a Serfs had to live on the land that they farmed.
b Common people gained power.
c Constant conflict led to a loss of social order.
d Authority in government was given to the Church.

Answer 1

Political changes in England, such as the centralization of power by monarchs and social mobility for peasants following the Black Death, weakened feudalism as serfs moved to towns and cities and the reliance on feudal military services diminished.

Step-by-step explanation:

Political changes in England weakened feudalism through a gradual shift of power from the feudal aristocracy to centralized monarchical authorities and the common people. Factors such as depopulation due to the Black Death, which created a labor shortage, led to many peasants leaving rural areas in search of better opportunities in towns and cities (option d). This migration, in turn, weakened the feudal lords' labor base.

Additionally, changing military practices reduced the number of vassal knights needed by the lords, further eroding the feudal structure. Monarchs began centralizing power, taking over feudal lands, and working to create a more direct relationship with the people, bypassing the feudal lords. As a result, serfs gained more opportunities for social mobility, moving away from a system where they were tied to the land and owed service to their lords.