The disappeareance of serfdom in Western Europe mostly comes from the Black Plague epidemic in the 14th century and the rise of cities and a middle class of citizens in the High Middle Ages. In Central and Eastern Europe, serfdom actully rose during that period of time.

Although farmers weren't serfs anymore and free to leave, they were mostly still bound to a manor. The weren't slaves anymore, but often still had a contract with their manorlord. The official abandonment of serfdom in most countries didn't happen until the 18th or 19th century.