Black Death British society was fundamentally changed by the Black Death, a plague that first hit England in 1348. It first struck through the southern ports in direct contact with the Continent. By 1349 the plague covered the entire British Isles. It killed about 35–45 % of the English population in its first assault and was particularly devastating in cities due to overcrowding and poor sanitation. The plague was not a onetime occurrence but recurred with diminishing intensity into the 17th century. These recurrences made it difficult for the population to recover. Effects and consequences: - depopulation - economic, material, agricultural and food benefits for surviving people - more land available than people to work on it. - marriage rates rose as people needed spouses to establish themselves on lands - landowners must pay higher wages, which led to laws limiting its height On the other hand, this led to peasants revolts In the long run, landowners realised, that enhancing personal freedom keeps their peasants on the land Therefore, serfdom continuously died out.
