The impact of the Black Death, which swept through Europe in the mid-14th century, was catastrophic, decimating approximately one-third of the continent’s population. This dramatic decline in population resulted in labor shortages, leading to wage increases and improved working conditions for surviving laborers. It also hastened social changes, challenging the established feudal order and contributing to the decline of serfdom as peasants sought better opportunities. Economically, the reduced workforce sparked labor reforms and transformed agricultural practices, while the resultant societal upheaval paved the way for the Renaissance and shifts in religious thought and practices.