1. 14.4 – 100 Years’ War & the Plague

2. Setting the Stage 1300s was filled with natural and human disasters
An epidemic will kill millions & change the economies of Europe
England and France will fight wars & eventually gain new/improved governments

3. Change in Location
1300: Pope Boniface VIII tells King Philip IV of France he must obey him
Philip captures the pope for trial in France, but is rescued
Boniface dies months later; last time a pope pushed control of a king
1305: College of Cardinals select Clement V as pope
Moves church to Avignon

4. The Great Schism The Church was weakened by move
1379: Gregory XI dies in Rome; Cardinals choose Urban VI (Italian) as pope
Cardinals choose Clement VII months later
Popes excommunicate each other = Great Schism
1414 – There are three popes!
Council of Constance forces them to resign
1417: Schism ends with selection of Martin V
The Great Schism

6. Challenge to the Church
John Wycliffe preaches Jesus Christ was head of the church; not the pope
Disgusted by wealth of the clergy
Jan Hus taught the Bible was the final authority, not the pope
Excommunicated, tried as a heretic, & burned at the stake

7. Plague: Origins Bubonic plague kills 1/3 of Europe’s population (25m)
Rips apart society – p. 399
The Plague started in Asia & expanded through trade
Named the Black Death
Purple or black spots
Hit Italy by way of Genoese merchant ships
Spreads throughout Europe in 4 years

10. Plague: Effects Population falls Trade declines, prices rise
Serfs leave manor for more money
Nobles resist peasant wages = revolts
Jews persecuted; blamed for the plague
The Church loses prestige: prayers not answered, priests abandon duties
Plague: Effects

11. 100 Years’ War War marks end of medieval Europe
Edward III (Br.) claims succession to French throne
Launches war (off & on) from
Britain gains the upper hand early
: French rally & drive the English out of France (- Calais)
100 Years’ War

12. Change in Warfare English introduce the Longbow
Battle of Crécy: Outnumbered; defeat French knights
Longbow equalizes the French knights & crossbows – Why?
Battles of Poitiers & Agincourt – repeats of Crécy
End of Chivalric Warfare

13. Joan of Arc Joan of Arc moved by God to rescue France from England
Heard voices of saints
Wanted to give the crown to Charles VII (Fr.) not Henry V (Br.)
5/7/1429 – Joan leads French to victory at Orléans
Charles crowned king at Reims
Captured, condemned as a witch, and burned at the stake as a heretic

14. Impact of the War War ends in 1453 Major Changes:
Nationalism for both France & England
French monarch increases power & prestige
English suffer internal turmoil = War of the Roses
War ends great religious devotion & the code of chivalry