1. The Black Death and Economic Change: Some Preliminary Notes

2. Some Major Events in Economy/Trade 1291Fall of Acre 1315-1317 The Great Famine 1337Hundred Years’ War 1348-1352The Black Death 1354Ottoman Turks Reach Europe

3. Thomas Malthus (d. 1834) Relationship between population and the means of subsistence Malthusian Crisis – If the population grows too far beyond production, a crisis of mortality will bring it back down. – “The power of population is so superior to the power of the earth to produce subsistence for man, that premature death must in some shape or other visit the human race. The vices of mankind are active and able ministers of depopulation. They are the precursors in the great army of destruction, and often finish the dreadful work themselves. But should they fail in this war of extermination, sickly seasons, epidemics, pestilence, and plague advance in terrific array, and sweep off their thousands and tens of thousands. Should success be still incomplete, gigantic inevitable famine stalks in the rear, and with one mighty blow levels the population with the food of the world.” Malthusian Deadlock (David Herlihy) – The population of Europe had been beyond production for a long time without a crisis event. Rather, it had been stagnant—at a “deadlock.” The Black Death broke the deadlock, allowing for new growth.

4. The Manorial System Lord – Owner of the land. Serf / Villein – Obligated to the lord for services, share of crops, money. – Tied to the land. Cannot leave without permission. Free Tenants – Paid rent to live on the land, but had no obligation to the lord.

5. Breakdown of the Manorial System in England The Black Death left Manor Lords with: – Fewer workers – Workers charging higher wages Production drastically decreased Less production led to higher prices Attempts to control the damage: – Labor legislation – Sumptuary Laws – Price Fixing The Manorial System never recovered. Manors and Serfdom disappeared throughout the late 14 th and 15 th centuries.

6. Peasants’ Revolt, 1381 Leaders – John Ball – Wat Tyler – Jack Straw Movement – Began in Essex (East England) on 30 May, 1381 – Took Canterbury on 10 June – Reached London on 13 June – Spread throughout English – Mostly suppressed by mid-July Results – Attacked officials of the church and state hierarchies (but claimed loyalty to the king, Richard II) – Released prisoners from jails – Burnt financial records – Attempted to end Serfdom (all equal except for the king)

7. Notes to Help with Horrox

8. Medieval English Currency £ - pound (libra) m - mark s - shilling (solidus) d - pence (denarius) 1s = 12d 1m = £2/3 = 13s 4d = 160d £1 = 1.5m = 20s = 240d

9. Measures of Land Rood = about 1000m 2 Acre = 4 Roods = about 4000m 2 Virgate = 30 Acres = about 0.12km 2