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Another factor which had a crucial influence upon developments in architecture was social change which took place in the 12th and 13th centuries. During the first few centuries after the Settlement, most Icelanders had similar living standards, as independent farmers. But property gradually became concentrated in the hands of the church, and a handful of powerful clans. A new class emerged, feudal lords, who had control of about 80% of the country's farms. The development was reflected in Icelandic buildings: the rich and powerful lived in impressive manor-houses, in contrast to the simple homes of the working man.