There were several factors playing in favour of the serfs. First, there was competition between the feudal lords, if one neglected his responsibilities too muc

There were several factors playing in favour of the serfs. First, there was competition between the feudal lords, if one neglected his responsibilities too much and treated his subjects to harshly they could flee and find themselves another patron. What prevented a Silicon Valley wage cartel type race to the bottom was the emergence of cities and a merchant class entirely outside the feudal system. A serf who settled in a city had no master at all. The story of the Middle Ages is the struggle between the feudal system and the forces outside it, first the church, then the cities. Also, the church launched a peace movement, just because someone had to keep up the public peace; in 9th century Europe warlordism had spiraled out of control. Ultimately, they were successful in restricting private war between the nobility and mitigating the impact on the general population. Living conditions for the peasantry in the Middle Ages could have been worse. They didn't have cars and flatscreens, fridges and washing machines, but they had more holidays than the American worker today. And no back-breaking commute.