The period of history characterized by the decline of feudalism in Europe is known as the Late Middle Ages, particularly spanning from the 14th to the 16th centuries. During this era, significant events such as the Black Death, the rise of merchant economies, and the strengthening of centralized monarchies contributed to the weakening of feudal structures. The growth of towns and cities led to a burgeoning middle class, which further diminished the power of feudal lords. Additionally, the Renaissance and the emergence of humanism transformed societal values, encouraging individualism and contributing to the decline of the rigid feudal order that had previously dominated European life.