"The crusades made great improvement in the condition of the serfs"

The quote by John Lothrop Motley suggests that the Crusades had a positive result on the lives of serfs. Serfs were peasants in the Middle Ages who were bound to the land and needed to work for their lords in exchange for defense and using land. During the Crusades, the lords were away combating, leaving the serfs with more freedom and autonomy. This enabled them to enhance their lives by participating in more trade and commerce, as well as having more control over their own land. Additionally, the Crusades brought about an increase of wealth and resources to the area, which allowed the serfs to have access to much better food, clothing, and shelter. This enhanced their overall lifestyle. The Crusades likewise brought about a greater sense of unity among the serfs, as they had the ability to come together and work towards a typical goal. This permitted them to form more powerful neighborhoods and support each other in times of need. In general, the Crusades had a favorable result on the lives of serfs, enabling them to enhance their condition and live better lives.