The Bubonic Plague & The Hundred Years’ War Mr. Snell HRHS Some Text/Images taken from Susan M. Pojer
Setting the Stage 1300s were filled with disasters, both natural and human-made. Deadly epidemic claimed millions of lives. So many people died the economy changed. Claims to thrones in France/England led to war. Governments changed By the end of the century, medieval way of life was disappearing.
A Church Divided 1300s Age of Faith still seemed strong. Pope and King Collide – Pope Boniface VIII attempts to enforce papal authority on kings like previous popes. – King Philip IV of France “Kings must always obey popes.” – Philip imprisoned the pope, planned to hold a trial. – Pope rescued, but died 1 month later. Never again would a pope be able to force monarchs to obey him.
Avignon & Great Schism Clement V, new pope, moves from Rome to Avignon. – Popes live here for the next 69 years. Weakened the Church 1378 – Pope Gregory XI died visiting Rome. Romans demanded a Roman/Italian pope. – Chose Urban VI, an italian. Poor decision, elected another pope, Robert of Geneve, aka Clement VII.
2 Popes..uh oh Both declared the other a false pope. French pope lived in Avignon Italian pope lived in Rome Great Schism - Division in the church – Council of Constance wanted to end the Schism. 3 popes now, all forced to resign Martin V is the new pope.
John Wycliffe & Jan Hus Preached Jesus Christ was head of the Church, not the pope. Offended by the worldly wealth. Clergy should own no land or wealth. Taught the bible was the final authority for Christian life. Inspired English translation of the Bible. Jan Hus – Taught the authority of the Bible was higher than the pope.
The Bubonic Plague Strikes Deadly disease aka Black Death Appeared in the 1300s in Asia, North Africa, and Europe. Killed off approximately 1/3 of population in Europe. Ripped apart the fabric of society.
Origins Began in Asia, following traveling trade routes – Fleet of ships arrive in Sicily carrying Black Death. – Name comes from the purple/black spots that appear on the skin. Swept through Italy Trade Routes to Spain, France, Germany, England.
Four Years Took 4 years to reach the corners of the Earth. 2/3 to ¾ of people died in affected areas. Roughly 25 million people killed. – Equivalent to all people in Texas being wiped off the map.
Types of Black Death Bubonic plague – tumors (buboes) of range in size from that of an egg to that of an apple. Survival up to 7 days. Pneumonic plague – attacking lungs – most virulent, spread by air. Survival 3-4 days. Septicemic plague – most deadly – attacking blood system and causing gangrena and black/purple spots and gangrene. Survival is alive in the morning, dead in the evening.
Effects of the Plague Enormous Social/Economic impacts. Town populations fell Trade declined, prices rose. Serfs left manors for higher wages Nobles resisted peasant demands. Revolts! Wages increased Jews blamed for bringing the plague. Massacred and driven from land. The Church loss prestige for failing to heal with prayers.
The Culprits
The Famine of By 1300 Europeans were farming almost all the land they could cultivate. A population crisis developed. Climate changes in Europe produced three years of crop failures between because of excessive rain. As many as 15% of the peasants in some English villages died. One consequence of starvation & poverty was susceptibility to disease.
1347: Plague Reaches Constantinople!
The Symptoms Bulbous Septicemic Form: almost 100% mortality rate.
Lancing a Buboe
The Disease Cycle Flea drinks rat blood that carries the bacteria. Flea’s gut clogged with bacteria. Bacteria multiply in flea’s gut. Flea bites human and regurgitates blood into human wound. Human is infected!
Medieval Art & the Plague
Bring out your dead!
Medieval Art & the Plague An obsession with death.
Boccaccio in The Decameron The victims ate lunch with their friends and dinner with their ancestors.
The Danse Macabre
Attempts to Stop the Plague A Doctor’s Robe “Leeching”
Attempts to Stop the Plague Flagellanti: Self-inflicted “penance” for our sins!
Attempts to Stop the Plague Pograms against the Jews “Jew” hat “Golden Circle” obligatory badge
Death Triumphant !: A Major Artistic Theme
A Little Macabre Ditty “A sickly season,” the merchant said, “The town I left was filled with dead, and everywhere these queer red flies crawled upon the corpses’ eyes, eating them away.” “Fair make you sick,” the merchant said, “They crawled upon the wine and bread. Pale priests with oil and books, bulging eyes and crazy looks, dropping like the flies.”
100 Years War England vs France Marked the end of Medieval Society Fought over the throne – England’s Edward III claims French throne. – Victory passes back and forth – French drive out English between
Change in Warfare No more medieval chivalry. The longbow changes warfare, introduced by the English. – Battle of Crecy – English outnumbered 3:1 by French. French thought they were invincible. Longbow destroys the French. – Longbows begin, French crossbowmen fled in panic. – French knights trampled their own The longbow brought an end to chivalric warfare. – Dominated the crossbow in range, firing speed, and strength.
Joan of Arc 1420 Treaty signed between French/English stating Henry V would get the French crown when Charles VI dies – Peasant girl would feel moved by God to rescue France and give the crown to France’s true king, Charles VII son of Charles VI. Siege of Orleans – Joan of Arc leads the French into battle, forced to retreat, but then suddenly fights back and leads them to victory. Charles VII crowned king. Joan of Arc was burned at the stake because of visions and hearing of voices to rescue France.
Cannons Used at Orleons
Joan Announces the Capture of Orleans to the King
Impact of 100 Years’ War Feeling of nationalism emerged in France. – King become a leader. Power and prestige of the French monarch increased. English experience internal turmoil known as the War of the Roses. – Two noble houses fought for same throne. End of Middle Ages to many historians. Chivalry crumbles Age of Faith dies a slow death.