1. Increased trade and commerce: Towns became centers of trade and commerce, which undermined the self-sufficient economy of the manor. Peasants who could now sell their goods in town no longer needed to rely on the lord for their livelihood, and lords lost their control over the local economy.
2. Rise of the merchant class: The growth of towns led to the rise of a new social class, the merchant class. Merchants were wealthy and influential, and they often challenged the power of the feudal lords.
3. Weakening of the lord's military power: As peasants and serfs moved to towns, the lords lost their primary source of military manpower. This made it more difficult for lords to defend their lands and maintain their power.
4. Spread of new ideas: Towns were also centers of new ideas, such as the Renaissance and the Protestant Reformation. These new ideas challenged the traditional authority of the feudal lords and the Catholic Church.
In short, the growth of towns led to a number of changes that undermined the feudal system and eventually led to its collapse.