The Calamitous 14The Calamitous 14thth Century Century

Plague and WarPlague and War

Economic and Social TensionEconomic and Social Tension

Off to a Bad StartOff to a Bad Start Much of grazing land was converted to Much of grazing land was converted to

cultivation so animal husbandry and its manure cultivation so animal husbandry and its manure production declinedproduction declined

Bouts of heavy rain and frost damaged cropsBouts of heavy rain and frost damaged crops 1301-1314 there was a shortage of food1301-1314 there was a shortage of food 1315-1317 there was famine1315-1317 there was famine Silver was short so money was debased while Silver was short so money was debased while

the price of luxury good for the nobles were the price of luxury good for the nobles were inflatedinflated

Knights and nobles turned to plunder and Knights and nobles turned to plunder and warfarewarfare

By mid-century the world is turned upside down By mid-century the world is turned upside down by the plagueby the plague

Rats and FleasRats and Fleas

The Oriental Rat Flea: Xenopsylla cheopisThe Oriental Rat Flea: Xenopsylla cheopis The septicemic and bubonic plague were The septicemic and bubonic plague were

transmitted with direct contact with a flea, while transmitted with direct contact with a flea, while the pneumonic plague was transmitted through the pneumonic plague was transmitted through airborne droplets of saliva coughed up by bubonic airborne droplets of saliva coughed up by bubonic or septicemic infected humans. or septicemic infected humans.

The bacteria (The bacteria (Yersinia pestisYersinia pestis) multiplied inside the ) multiplied inside the flea blocking the flea's stomach causing it to be flea blocking the flea's stomach causing it to be very hungry. The flea would then start voraciously very hungry. The flea would then start voraciously biting a host. Since the feeding tube to the biting a host. Since the feeding tube to the stomach was blocked , the flea was unable to stomach was blocked , the flea was unable to satisfy its hunger. satisfy its hunger.

The Black DeathThe Black Death Bubonic was the most common The mortality rate was 30-75%. Bubonic was the most common The mortality rate was 30-75%. Enlarged lymph nodes.Enlarged lymph nodes.

– 'bubonic' refers to the bubo or enlarged gland. 'bubonic' refers to the bubo or enlarged gland. – Victims were subject to headaches, nausea, aching joints, fever of 101-105 Victims were subject to headaches, nausea, aching joints, fever of 101-105

degrees, vomiting, and a general feeling of illness. Symptoms took from 1-degrees, vomiting, and a general feeling of illness. Symptoms took from 1-7 days to appear.7 days to appear.

Pneumonic plague was the second most commonly seen form Pneumonic plague was the second most commonly seen form – Victims often died before they could reach other placesVictims often died before they could reach other places– The mortality rate for the pneumonic plague was 90-95% The mortality rate for the pneumonic plague was 90-95% – The pneumonic plague infected the lungs. Symptoms included slimy The pneumonic plague infected the lungs. Symptoms included slimy

sputum with blood. sputum with blood. – As the disease progressed, the sputum became free flowing and bright red. As the disease progressed, the sputum became free flowing and bright red.

Symptoms took 1-7 days to appear. Symptoms took 1-7 days to appear. The septicemic plague was the most rare form of all. The septicemic plague was the most rare form of all.

– mortality was close to 100% mortality was close to 100% – Symptoms were a high fever and skin turning deep shades of purple.Symptoms were a high fever and skin turning deep shades of purple.– Died the same day symptoms appeared. Died the same day symptoms appeared.

In some cities, as many as 800 people died every dayIn some cities, as many as 800 people died every day

The Path of DestructionThe Path of Destruction Caffa, a Crimean port on the Black Sea where Italian Caffa, a Crimean port on the Black Sea where Italian

merchants from Genoa maintained a thriving trade center. merchants from Genoa maintained a thriving trade center. Crimea was inhabited by TartarsCrimea was inhabited by Tartars Plague struck the area in 1346, tens of thousands of Plague struck the area in 1346, tens of thousands of

Tartars died.Tartars died. Tartars are said to have blamed the Christian Genoese. Tartars are said to have blamed the Christian Genoese. Another possibility is that a Christian and Muslim brawled Another possibility is that a Christian and Muslim brawled

in the street and the Tartars wanted revenge. in the street and the Tartars wanted revenge. Tartars sent an army to attack Caffa, where the Genoese Tartars sent an army to attack Caffa, where the Genoese

had fortified themselves. As the Tartars laid siege to Caffa, had fortified themselves. As the Tartars laid siege to Caffa, plague struck their army and many died. plague struck their army and many died.

Tartars used catapults to lob the infected corpses of Tartars used catapults to lob the infected corpses of plague victims over the walls of Caffa. The plague quickly plague victims over the walls of Caffa. The plague quickly spread and the Genoese decided to flee spread and the Genoese decided to flee

set sail for Italy, carrying rats, fleas, and the Black Death set sail for Italy, carrying rats, fleas, and the Black Death with them. with them.

Unsuccessful RemediesUnsuccessful Remedies Thinking that disease was transmitted by air, Thinking that disease was transmitted by air,

probably because the smell from the dead and probably because the smell from the dead and dying was so awful, they turned to scents to dying was so awful, they turned to scents to ward off the deadly vapors. ward off the deadly vapors.

Others had handkerchiefs dipped in aromatic Others had handkerchiefs dipped in aromatic oils, to cover their faces when going out. oils, to cover their faces when going out.

Towns rang church bells to drive the plague Towns rang church bells to drive the plague away, for the ringing of town bells was done in away, for the ringing of town bells was done in crises of all kinds crises of all kinds

talismans, charms, and spells that could be talismans, charms, and spells that could be purchased from the local wise woman or purchased from the local wise woman or apothecary. apothecary.

Successful RemediesSuccessful Remedies

Milan- city officials immediately walled up Milan- city officials immediately walled up houses found to have the plague, isolating houses found to have the plague, isolating the healthy in them along with the sick. the healthy in them along with the sick.

Venice- took sophisticated and stringent Venice- took sophisticated and stringent quarantine and health measures, including quarantine and health measures, including isolating all incoming ships on a separate isolating all incoming ships on a separate island. island.

Pope Clement VI, living at Avignon, sat Pope Clement VI, living at Avignon, sat between two large fires to breath pure air. between two large fires to breath pure air.

EconomicsEconomics Valuable artisan skills disappeared when large numbers Valuable artisan skills disappeared when large numbers

of the working class died. of the working class died. Those who had skills became even more valuable than Those who had skills became even more valuable than

the rich people. the rich people. The society structure began to change giving formally The society structure began to change giving formally

poor laborers more say and peasants and artisans poor laborers more say and peasants and artisans demanded higher wages. demanded higher wages.

Serfs seeking liberation from tilling their lord's land were Serfs seeking liberation from tilling their lord's land were told by decree and statue to return to their master's told by decree and statue to return to their master's duties.duties.

Farming communities became rare. The lack of sufficient Farming communities became rare. The lack of sufficient law enforcement personnel promoted lawlessness. law enforcement personnel promoted lawlessness.

People called "Bechini" pillaged homes, murdering and People called "Bechini" pillaged homes, murdering and raping people. They dressed in red robes with red masks raping people. They dressed in red robes with red masks and only their eyes showed. The horror of the Black and only their eyes showed. The horror of the Black Death had taken on a new victim, the economy.Death had taken on a new victim, the economy.

The ChurchThe Church

Suffered the most Suffered the most Lost prestige, spiritual authority, and leadership Lost prestige, spiritual authority, and leadership

over the people. over the people. – The church promised cures, treatment, and an The church promised cures, treatment, and an

explanation for the plague. They said it was God's willexplanation for the plague. They said it was God's will– People wanted answers, but the priests and bishops People wanted answers, but the priests and bishops

didn't have any. didn't have any. – Some clergy abandoned their Christian duties and fled. Some clergy abandoned their Christian duties and fled.

People prayed to God and begged for forgiveness. People prayed to God and begged for forgiveness. – After the plague, ended angry and frustrated villagers After the plague, ended angry and frustrated villagers

started to revolt against the church. The survivors were started to revolt against the church. The survivors were also enraged at also enraged at doctorsdoctors, who didn't cure patients, but , who didn't cure patients, but said they could. said they could.

Long Term EffectsLong Term Effects

Small populations mean few taxes.Small populations mean few taxes. Art was also a victim of the Plague - Death inspired artists to stray Art was also a victim of the Plague - Death inspired artists to stray

from religious pictorials. from religious pictorials. Soon after the last eruption of the Black Death, the views on Soon after the last eruption of the Black Death, the views on

children changed- the birth rate dropped. children changed- the birth rate dropped. – Children were considered "not worth the trouble" to raise. It took four Children were considered "not worth the trouble" to raise. It took four

hundred years before Europe's population equaled the pre-Black Death hundred years before Europe's population equaled the pre-Black Death figures. figures.

The demand for agricultural workers gave survivors a new The demand for agricultural workers gave survivors a new bargaining power. Workers formerly bound to the land could now bargaining power. Workers formerly bound to the land could now travel and command higher wages for their services. travel and command higher wages for their services.

People left rural areas and migrated to cities for higher wages. The People left rural areas and migrated to cities for higher wages. The economic structure of land-based wealth shifted. Portable wealth in economic structure of land-based wealth shifted. Portable wealth in the form of money, skills and services emerged. the form of money, skills and services emerged.

Small towns and cities grew while large estates and manors began Small towns and cities grew while large estates and manors began to collapse. The very social, economic, and political structure of to collapse. The very social, economic, and political structure of Europe was forever altered. One tiny insect, a flea, toppled Europe was forever altered. One tiny insect, a flea, toppled feudalism and changed the course of history in Europe. feudalism and changed the course of history in Europe.

The Hundred Years War- (1337-The Hundred Years War- (1337-1453) 1453)

War started in May 1337 when War started in May 1337 when King Philip VIKing Philip VI of France attempted to of France attempted to confiscate the English territories in the duchy of Aquitaine. It ended in confiscate the English territories in the duchy of Aquitaine. It ended in July 1453 when the French finally expelled the English from the July 1453 when the French finally expelled the English from the continent (except for Calais) by force. continent (except for Calais) by force.

Treaty of Paris designated that Henry III (1216 - 1270) held the duchy Treaty of Paris designated that Henry III (1216 - 1270) held the duchy as a fief of the French King. Henry was a vassal of the King of France as a fief of the French King. Henry was a vassal of the King of France and, therefore, was required to pay liege homage to him. and, therefore, was required to pay liege homage to him.

In 1328, Charles IV, King of France, died without a male heir. Edward In 1328, Charles IV, King of France, died without a male heir. Edward III, the King of England, held claim to the throne via his mother who III, the King of England, held claim to the throne via his mother who was Charles' sister. was Charles' sister. – The other important claimant was head of the Valois house (Philip VI) The other important claimant was head of the Valois house (Philip VI)

grandson of Philip III. grandson of Philip III. Philip VI gained the throne and moved to confiscate Aquitaine in order Philip VI gained the throne and moved to confiscate Aquitaine in order

to consolidate his power. to consolidate his power. Edward led a raid into French territory in 1338 to defend his claim and Edward led a raid into French territory in 1338 to defend his claim and

two years later declared himself the true king of France. two years later declared himself the true king of France.

War BeginsWar Begins

From the beginning of the war (1337) until the battle of From the beginning of the war (1337) until the battle of Orleans (1428-29), the English won many victories Orleans (1428-29), the English won many victories including the decisive battles of including the decisive battles of CrecyCrecy, , PoitiersPoitiers and and AgincourtAgincourt. The English used a new method of warfare by . The English used a new method of warfare by combining forces of longbowmen with dismounted men-at-combining forces of longbowmen with dismounted men-at-arms with much success. arms with much success.

In 1429, at the siege of In 1429, at the siege of OrleansOrleans the French finally gained the French finally gained the upper hand. Joan of Arc led a relief force which the upper hand. Joan of Arc led a relief force which successfully defeated the English. For the next 25 years, successfully defeated the English. For the next 25 years, the French defeated the English at many engagements and the French defeated the English at many engagements and the English retreated from France except for Calais. the English retreated from France except for Calais.

Joan of ArcJoan of Arc In French In French Jeanne d'ArcJeanne d'Arc; AKA by her contemporaries as ; AKA by her contemporaries as la Pucellela Pucelle (the Maid). (the Maid). Jacques d'Arc was a small peasant farmer who was illiterateJacques d'Arc was a small peasant farmer who was illiterate At the age of thirteen she started to hear voices- At the age of thirteen she started to hear voices- St. MichaelSt. Michael, , St. MargaretSt. Margaret, ,

St. CatherineSt. Catherine, and others. , and others. Joan's voices wanted her to fight for the causeshe said to them: "I am a poor girl; I do Joan's voices wanted her to fight for the causeshe said to them: "I am a poor girl; I do

not know how to ride or fight." The voices only reiterated: "It is not know how to ride or fight." The voices only reiterated: "It is GodGod who commands who commands it." it."

She convinced Charles to let her fight and a search be made for an ancient sword She convinced Charles to let her fight and a search be made for an ancient sword buried behind the buried behind the altaraltar in the in the chapelchapel of Ste-Catherine-de-Fierbois. It was found where of Ste-Catherine-de-Fierbois. It was found where the voices indicated. the voices indicated.

Joan summoned the King of Joan summoned the King of EnglandEngland to withdraw his troops from to withdraw his troops from FrenchFrench soil. The soil. The English commanders were furious at the audacity of the demand, but Joan by a rapid English commanders were furious at the audacity of the demand, but Joan by a rapid movement entered Orléans movement entered Orléans

July 17, 1429, Charles VII was solemnly crowned, the Maid standing by July 17, 1429, Charles VII was solemnly crowned, the Maid standing by Charles VII granted her noble status along with her family on December 29, 1429. Charles VII granted her noble status along with her family on December 29, 1429.

She returned to the field She returned to the field She was captured at Compiègne on May 23, 1430 and transferred to the English, She was captured at Compiègne on May 23, 1430 and transferred to the English,

she was placed on trial by pro-English clergy and some were coerced into voting for she was placed on trial by pro-English clergy and some were coerced into voting for a guilty verdict.a guilty verdict.

She was convicted and executed on May 30, 1431 but she was declared innocent She was convicted and executed on May 30, 1431 but she was declared innocent July 7, 1456 after a lengthy re-trial process when they had access to the documents July 7, 1456 after a lengthy re-trial process when they had access to the documents and witnesses associated with her trialand witnesses associated with her trial

The original trial had been tainted by fraud, illegal procedures, and intimidation of The original trial had been tainted by fraud, illegal procedures, and intimidation of both the defendant and many of the clergy who had taken part in the trial, and she both the defendant and many of the clergy who had taken part in the trial, and she was therefore described as a martyr by the Inquisitor. was therefore described as a martyr by the Inquisitor.

ResultsResults Untold misery on FranceUntold misery on France

– Farmlands were laid waste; the population was decimated by Farmlands were laid waste; the population was decimated by war, famine, and the Black Death; marauders terrorized the war, famine, and the Black Death; marauders terrorized the countryside. countryside.

– Civil wars (see Civil wars (see JacquerieJacquerie; ; CabochiensCabochiens; ; ArmagnacsArmagnacs and and BurgundiansBurgundians) and local wars (see ) and local wars (see Breton Succession, War of theBreton Succession, War of the) increased the destruction and the social disintegration. ) increased the destruction and the social disintegration.

– Louis XILouis XI (Charles’ successor), benefited from these evils. (Charles’ successor), benefited from these evils. The virtual destruction of the feudal nobility enabled him to unite The virtual destruction of the feudal nobility enabled him to unite

France more solidly under the royal authority and to promote and France more solidly under the royal authority and to promote and ally with the middle class. ally with the middle class.

– From the ruins of the war an entirely new France emerged. From the ruins of the war an entirely new France emerged. For England, the results of the war were equally For England, the results of the war were equally

decisive; it ceased to be a continental power and decisive; it ceased to be a continental power and increasingly sought expansion as a naval power.increasingly sought expansion as a naval power.

Plague CyclePlague Cyclefrom: http://www.insecta-inspecta.com/fleas/bdeath/Trasmission.htmlfrom: http://www.insecta-inspecta.com/fleas/bdeath/Trasmission.html

Mapping the PlagueMapping the Plague

Taking its tollTaking its toll