14.4 – 100 Years’ War & the Plague

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

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

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

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

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

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

100 Years’ War War marks end of medieval Europe Edward III (Br.) claims succession to French throne Launches war (off & on) from 1337-1453 Britain gains the upper hand early 1421-1453: French rally & drive the English out of France (- Calais) 100 Years’ War

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

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

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