Pre-Renaissance Europe
• Europe - 100 years from late 1300s to early 1400s could be described as "A World Turned Upside Down."
..... - consolidation of royal authority
..... - discovery of America
..... - virtual disappearance of serfdom in the west
..... - revolt of Luther
• Political Scene - Monarchs become more "business-like" in their control. They are no longer held back by the church.
• Economic Scene - Economy moves away from rural dependence on Manors. "Free" peasents find themselves in transitory states between expectations of lord and lack of protection from lord. Lots of rural violence.
• Social Scene - Beginning of Middle Class emerges with towns. Still a vast difference between royalty and pesantry - arranged marriage for economic reasons, children for economic reasons.
• Great Famine - From 1315-1317. Harvest failed, leading to underfed population. Population is decimated. Occurs again in 1322-1329.
• Black Death (1347-1351) - 1/3 to 1/2 of the European population decimated. Recurs again in 1360s and 1370s and again from 1388-1390. The Black Death was brought from China and was transfered by flea bites, rats, sneezing or coughing.
What was the Plague Like?
..... - Painful Boils in the groin, armpit, or neck.
..... - Bleeding under the skin.
.......... . Spitting Blood
.......... . Uncontrolled Excrements
.......... . Heavy Sweating
.......... . Blackened Urine
Consequences of the Black Death
- Severe labor Shortage
- Survivors wanted greater rights
- Death became a dominate theme in culture
- People move towards religion and superstition for explination
- Dislike of Asians
- Beginnings of Modern Medicine
..... - surgeons come into greater prominence
..... - roles of hospitals change
- Roles of Woman change and they begin to be valued.
Hundred Years' War (1337-1453)
- War breaks out due to the dispute of French Throne.
- France puts Philip of Valios (Nephew of Philip the Fair) on the throne. English king Edward III claims he has betters rights to the throne.
..... - France unifying at the same time. England still has rock Aquataine
..... - Problems with Flanders
- Early english victories in Sluys and Crecy and Calais despite fewer numbers and even capture french king John II.
- Pause in 1360 when English sign treaty. War resumes in 1396.
- By 1380, France has expelled the English from the main-land except for Seaports (under Charles the Wise).
- Ultimately, England is driven out, France is unified under France under a strong National Monarchy. France develop a standing army financed through taxation.
