mobility if one lord did not suit their needs. Without the manpower to cultivate and yield .
crops, the land-lords were in effect held without influence. The Parliament came to .
there rescue by imposing penalties and restricting the movement of the laborers and limit .
the wages. Although this was effective at the time and serf's services continued, it .
resulted in a revolt some 30 years later. The end economic result of the Plague was .
somewhat surprising. Prices dropped and wages increased. The latter not so surprising. .
Although not proven, the deflation of goods decreased because of a significant decrease in .
population. This gave rise to a new social relationship that would replace the status quo .
of centuries. A higher standard of living resulted for the lower class. Higher wages and a .
lower cost of living usually come with an opportunity of social advancement. By our .
standards, the advance was minimal, but considering the conditions of the time, it was .
considerable. The laws that the English Parliament had passed to govern the lower class .
were not only a sign of changing times, but proof that a new era and social class were .
emerging. .
Much of the Christian religion we see today was shaped from views developed by .
society at that time. Various forms of religious behavior developed, but were far from .
what we recognize today. One of the most gruesome replications were the resurgence of .
Flagellants. The Flagellants were convinced that the end of the world was at hand and the .
Plague was the wrath of God. They traveled in organized bands, bound by vows to abstain .
from all physical pleasures and to endure tortures and whippings for 33 days, in memory .
of the 33 years of the life of Christ. In truth most Christians did believe the cause of the .
Plague was God's wrath on a wicked Man. Many said they were doomed by their own .
wickedness. There were also others who believed themselves condemned and in today's .