6. Vulnerable to Famine and Disease
Serfs were highly susceptible to famine and disease due to their limited resources and dependence on subsistence farming. The Great Famine of 1315-1317, caused by severe weather conditions, led to widespread crop failures and a significant loss of life. Additionally, the Black Death of 1347-1352 further devastated the serf population, with mortality rates varying across regions. These calamities underscored the precariousness of serfdom, as entire villages could be decimated by hunger and illness.
