After the Black Death in the mid-14th century, the European continent had a recession. Entire regions and villages were left deserted. The districts which had been reclaimed during the 12th and 13th centuries were partially abandoned. There was in a crisis in farming, cultivation and tending livestock decreased. Since there was little production of goods, there was a lack of merchandise. The times were hard in the towns too, since the towns-people were dependent on produce from the country-side. The prices of flour and bread went up. People were in trouble. The problems grew as the climate became colder and damper. The plague returned many times during the 14th and 15th centuries.
The crisis in farming became a crisis in society. Many poor and sick people died. Since the fields with the poorest soil were abandoned, farming was concentrated to regions where the farm-land was good. Gradually, times changed for the better for those who had survived. Poor peasants were able to take over quite good farms which had been abandoned. Since there was a lack of men who were fit enough to work, the wages were raised. The noblemen were unable to tax his peasants as heavily as they had done before. He was happy just to have the farm occupied. Many peasants, workers, servants, maids and farm-hands became wealthy.
The population slowly grew and more and more land was cultivated. People started to believe in the future again. From mid-15th century and onwards, the worst agricultural crisis was over.