Why did serfdom virtually disappear in western Europe in the fifteenth century?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The decline of serfdom in Western Europe, particularly by the fifteenth century, was largely due to economic reasons. Landowners found that other forms of labor, such as wage labor, were more profitable and flexible than the rigid system of serfdom. This shift was influenced by various factors, including the labor shortages caused by the Black Death, which increased the bargaining power of peasants and made wage labor more appealing to landowners.

Why Did Serfdom Virtually Disappear in Western Europe in the Fifteenth