Breakdown of Medieval Society

Famine and Warfare By the 1300s Europe had enjoyed two centuries of economic growth Great famine 1315-1317 it rained so much crops were ruined Cattle died of diseases brought by on the wet weather People died of starvation The Hundred Year’s War (1337-1453) Edward III of England claimed the throne of France Rural areas suffered as roaming armies destroyed crops and brought starvation to peasant communities The war increased the sense of patriotism that was developing in each kingdom

Lethal weapons English won many early battles due to a new powerful weapon Longbow Soon both sides were using even deadlier new weapons: guns and cannons Guns shot through armor, cannons blasted though even the strongest castle The age of knights and castles was ending

The French defeated England after her death Joan of Arc France was losing the war by the early 1400s Joan claimed that voices from heaven told her to dress in knight’s clothing and lead the French army to victory Led French soldiers against the English and won important victories Captured by the English and burned at the steak The French defeated England after her death

The Black Death Began ten years after the Hundred Year’s war began in 1347, ended in 1352 Called the “Great Dying” at the time No one knew the cause The Spread of the Disease Began in Central Asia Slowly spread along trade networks Slowly tore apart European society As the plague spread fear of contact drove many into isolation The rich fled the towns

Effects of the Black Death A culture of despair The art of the time reveals an obsession with death and disease Economic changes With too few people to cultivate the land, farmland reverted to pasture Manor lords were desperate for workers Serfs demanded wages for their work and left manor to work where wages were highest Effects on the Church England lost 40% of its clergy The Church was forced to hire men who were uneducated Encouraged a movement to reform Church practices Toward a new world After the Black Death Western Europeans were less tied to a stable social and spiritual community Serf defined manorial lords and criticized medieval traditions The shock of the Black Death brought about the end of the Middle Ages and the arrival of the modern world