The Four Horsemen of the Middle Ages (1300 - 1453) Mr. Meester AP European History Chapter 9

The Four Horsemen An important image of the Middle Ages was the “Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.” These riders represented the primary fears of the people of the Middle Ages: famine, war, pestilence, and death. Their appearance signaled the end of the world in the Bible. During the 1300’s it seemed as if the four horsemen had come to Western Europe.

“Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse” by Albrecht Durer (German, 1471–1528) From Left to Right: Death, Famine, War, Pestilence

Food & Famine From 1000 to 1300 Europe’s population increased greatly After 1300, Western Europe suffered a dramatic population decline.

Death & Pestilence Although famine killed thousands of people, the most devastating catastrophe to Western Europe was called the Black Death. The Black Death was an epidemic of the Bubonic Plague that spread over Europe and then returned periodically during the next two centuries.

Reactions to the Death People had very little understanding of how the plague spread. Useless remedies were common and completely ineffective. Reactions to the plague varied from mild to extreme

Effects of the Plague The disease struck with stunning speed. It took little more than 3 days to die from the disease. First there would be red marks, swelling and black bruises on the body. It attacked the lymph node system. Victims suffered heavy sweats and convulsive coughing. You would then vomit blood and die an agonizing death.

Social Consequences The best estimate suggests that a third of Europe’s population was wiped out between 1347 and 1350. Periodic recurrence of the plague continued to decrease the population By the early 15th century western Europe had barely half as many people as it had in 1300. Farms declined as the number of peasants decreased Cities were hit the hardest but rebounded faster than rural areas. Powerful institutions (Monarchies & the Church) lost influence and power

The Hundred Years’ War The Hundred Years’ War began in 1337 and would last till 1453 The English king, Edward III, helped start the war by asserting a claim to the French throne when the French king Charles IV died without a male heir.

Beginnings of the War Edward had the best hereditary claim, but the French Barons selected Philip of Valois, who more distantly related to the Capetian line. This dispute started a series of events that would lead to war. France had more people, more money, and was fighting on its home soil and yet couldn’t defeat the English.

First Phase of the War The first phase of the war which lasted until 1360 was nearly fatal to France. English armies won great battles at Crecy in 1346 and Poitiers in 1356. The first Phase ended with the Peace of Bretigny-Calais

Early British Success

Treaty of Bretigny Eventually, John bought his release by accepting the Treaty of Bretigny (1360). John agreed to pay a huge ransom and to give Edward III full title to Guienne the key northern port of Calais. In exchange, Edward, renounced his claim to the throne of France.

The Middle Years The Treaty of Bretigny did not however, end the ancient rivalry. After Edward III’s death, the English war effort lessened due to domestic problems within England. Henry V would renew hostilities with France while it was divided between powerful noble families. The Treaty of Troyes would end the fighting for a few years

English Control 1429

Joan of Arc In 1429, the dauphin Charles was visited by a young girl named Joan of Arc The French, lead by Joan of Arc, defeated the English at Orleans. Joan was later captured by Burgundian forces and turned over to the English There were many lasting social and political consequences of the Hundred Years’ War.

Trial of Joan of Arc These events marked the beginning of a series of French victories that Joan of Arc would not live to see. In 1430, Joan was captured by the Burgundians and handed over to the English. The English put Joan on trial before an ecclesiastical court that convicted her of heresy and ordered her burned at the stake in 1431. At her execution, one onlooker cried: “We are lost, we have just killed a saint.” Joan was granted sainthood in 1920

Effects of the “Horsemen” The appearance of the “Four Horsemen” may have been for real during this period in European history. Overall, estimates are made that Europe lost over 40% of its population during the 14th and early 15th century. The effects of the of the “Four Horsemen” had a dramatic effect on Western Europe in regards to levels of production, the demand for goods, the labor supply, prices, social relationships, and mass psychology.