1. The rise of trade and the growth of cities: As trade increased and cities grew, the feudal system became increasingly inefficient. Peasants began to move to cities, where they could find work and earn money. This led to a decline in the power of feudal lords, who relied on peasants to work their land.
2. The Bubonic Plague: Also known as the Black Death, this pandemic in the mid of 14th century killed and estimated 30-60% of Europe’s population. This led to the death of many feudal lords and their vassals.
3. The Hundred Years' War (1337-1453): This war between France and England was marked by a series of revolts by peasants, who were tired of the taxes and oppression of their feudal lords. These revolts signaled a growing discontent with the feudal system.
4. Development of gunpowder: With the emergence of gunpowder, the old castles and fortifications became vulnerable. This led to the decline of knights, who were essential for feudal warfare, and rise of nation states with standing armies equipped with more advanced weapons.
5. Monarchy and the rise of the nation-state: As monarchs increased their power and consolidated their control over their territories, the feudal system gradually lost its importance. Monarchs began creating their own armies, making the feudal lords' troops less necessary.
These factors combined eventually undermined the feudal system, and by the late medieval period it was in decline. While feudalism persisted to a certain extent in some areas, it gradually lost its grip with monarchical power emerging as the dominant system in Europe.