Disasters of the Fourteenth Century Section 2.5
Bring Out Your Dead
The Black Death
Plague’s Causes According to Medieval People Sinister alignment of the planets Foul air created by recent earthquakes A Jewish conspiracy God’s punishment
Why did it spread so rapidly? Lack of sanitation/ hygiene Overcrowded cities Malnourished population New trade routes
Characteristics Flu-like symptoms at first Egg-sized lumps on neck& armpit Hemorrhaging under the skin(caused purple blotches)
Characteristics Infection of lungs allowed virus to spread through cough or sneeze Victims died in 1 to 6 days A disease of revulsion rather than sympathy
Results of the Black Death 33% population wiped out Food production decreased Breakdown of feudal system Serfs, lords died Labor shortage wages rose Catholic Church lost power Anti-Semitism increased
Ring Around the Rosie A Pocket Full of Posies Ashes, Ashes We All Fall Down
Hundred Years’ War (1337-1453) Causes Edward III (Philip the Fair’s grandson) claimed French crown Had backing from French barons, Flemish wool merchants
Characteristics Took place in France & Low Countries Glorified chivalry overall Chivalry disregarded at Crecy (1346) England controlled large parts of France by 1419 Joan of Arc Lifted siege at Orleans (1429) Turning point of war
Results Joan of Arc’s execution fostered patriotism Parliamentary govt. grew Commons (knights and burgesses) got right to approve tax increases French noble class diminished
Results Revolts Jacqueries (nickname for peasants) in 1358 Lords tried to freeze wages Peasants had rising expectations Wat Tyler’s rebellion (1381) Peasants ultimately better off
Babylonian Captivity (1309-1377) Papacy a tool of French Great Schism (1378-1417) England/Germany recognize Urban VI France recognize Clement VII Papal prestige sank even lower How do I save my soul?
Babylonian Captivity (1309-1377) People begin to question the Church John Wycliff and the Lollards Proposed that common man read Bible (In English!) Jan Huss Utilized Wycliff’s ideas for Bohemia
Conciliar Movement Council of Constance (1414) Ends Schism Discourages heresy (Huss executed) Issues reforms Martin V is made Pope Others step aside Martin dissolves Council Refuses reforms Church ruled by Pope, not Council
Results of the Disasters Mass Neurosis Church loses power Population decline Revolts break out Favorable position for peasants Fixed rents Property owning class emerges Renaissance begins!!!