The Black Death is the modern name given to the deadly epidemic diseasespread by rat fleas across Europe in the 14th century. It swept through England inthe summer of 1348, reducing England"s populatioo from four million to twomillion by the end of the 14th century. It produces far-reaching economicconsequences. much land was left untended and there was a terrible shortageof labors. The surviving peasants had better bargaining power and were in aposition to change their serfdominto paid labor. In 1351, thegovernment issued a Statute of Laborers which made it a crime for peasants to askfor more wages or for their employers to pay more than the rates laid down by theJusticesof the Peace.
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