Final answer:
The rising population led to labor shortages and a higher demand for rural labor, prompting lords and nobility to enact laws to control wages, evict peasants for more profitable ventures, and fortify their estates, ultimately preserving their wealth and status.
Step-by-step explanation:
The rising population had a significant impact on the actions of lords throughout history. As the population increased, particularly after events such as the Black Death, there was a notable shift in the balance of power between the nobility and the peasantry. Lords and landowners were faced with labor shortages and rising demand for agricultural produce. In response, they took actions to preserve their status and wealth.To control wages and keep peasant labor in check, legislation such as England's 1349 law was enacted to fix wages at pre-plague levels. Additionally, the English Statute of Labourers (1351) demanded that all unemployed able-bodied persons accept work, reflecting the lords' need for labor. Furthermore, as the population grew in the 16th and 17th centuries, the cost of land skyrocketed, and many small-scale peasants were evicted to make way for the more profitable sheep herding. Lords strengthened their positions by adjusting to the economic circumstances, which often resulted in the disenfranchisement of poorer farmers and peasants.The increased demand for rural labor from landlords offered more generous terms, and cities experiencing labor shortages threatened the traditional feudal system. Castle lords in regions like Silla augmented their power by demanding resources from surrounding villages, eventually leading to tensions with state taxation policies and contributing to peasant hardship and rebellions.In summary, as the population rose, lords adapted by changing labor laws, consolidating their holdings, and finding ways to maximize their profits, often leading to the further oppression and displacement of the peasantry.