After The Fall: Medieval European world. Feudalism is the political structure. Origins of feudalism. Basis. Obligations. Chivalry. Urban life. Manorialism is the economic structure. Serfs. Knights. The nobles are somewhat better off. Pleasures in life. The Church: The Catholic Church. Positives. Monastic orders. Negatives. The Crusades. The Bubonic Plague : The Black Death. Population craziness. Jews. Aftermath of the plague. The lords: The decline of the medieval world. Beginning of the modern world. Selected theme: What explains the profound backwardness, population stagnation, and the cities all but disappearing during Medieval Europe?