Final answer:
The majority of the medieval population were unfree peasants known as serfs, tied to their noble overlords' land with few rights. Following the Plague, labor shortages led to better conditions for serfs, leading to serfdom's decline.
Step-by-step explanation:
The majority of the medieval population were unfree peasants, also known as serfs. These serfs were often subject to noble overlords in the feudal system and were bound to the land they worked on. Life for a serf was difficult, as they were not only at the bottom of the social hierarchy but also required to fulfill many duties such as providing labor and goods to the lord of the manor. Over time, however, especially after events like the Plague, the status of serfs began to change as labor shortages forced lords to offer better conditions and greater freedoms, leading to the gradual decline of serfdom in Western Europe.