Problem
The economy underwent abrupt and extreme inflation. Since it was so difficult [and dangerous} to procure goods through trade and to produce them, the prices of both goods produced locally and those imported from afar skyrocketed. Because of illness and death workers became exceedingly scarce, so even peasants felt the effects of the new rise in wages. The demand for people to work the land was so high that it threatened the manorial holdings. Serfs were no longer tied to one master; if one left the land, another lord would instantly hire them. The lords had to make changes in order to make the situation more profitable for the peasants and so keep them on their land. In general, wages outpaced prices and the standard of living was subsequently raised.
Exoerpted from: Courie, Leonard W. The Black Death and Peasant's Revolt. New York: Wayland Publishers, 1972,: Strainer, Joseph R., ed. Dictionary of the Midlife Ages. New York: Cherries Scribner's Sons. Wei. 2. Pp. 25.7-26.7.
How did the plague affect trade? What happened to goods? How did the wealthy feel the impact of the plague? What happened to serfs or peasants?