ICSE Class 7 Answered

While fighting holy wars against the Turkish Muslims, the crusaders learnt the use of guns and gunpowder. This discovery greatly undermined the importance of feudal lords and armoured knights. It now became difficult for them to defy the authority of the king, leading to the decline of feudalism.

During the Crusades, a large number of feudal lords lost their lives which was also a set back to the feudal system. Further, as a result of the Crusades, many trade contacts were established between the West and East. As trade increased, cities grew in Europe. Traders, bankers and artisans residing in these cities wanted themselves to be free of feudal control. They also began to pay enhanced taxes to the kings which made the king wealthy. He now began to maintain powerful armies. All these reasons led to the decline of feudalism.