III. Years of Turmoil
A. Plague Strikes Bubonic Plague – Killed 1/3rd of Europe’s total population Known as the Black Death because of the black spots on the body Ripped apart the fabric of society
Victim of the Black Death
B. Plague’s Spread Traders carried the plague into Europe Flea infested black rats were responsible for spreading the Black Death Most people did not bathe and most had lice and fleas
People also threw sewage and garbage into the street, which became breeding grounds for more rats Killed 25-35 million people in Europe Killed over 50-75 million people worldwide
Procession of the Flagellants
C. Effects of the Plague 1) End of the manorial system 2) Serfs left manors in search of jobs 3) Peasants revolted across Europe 4) Jews were blamed for causing the Plague and persecuted and killed 5) Church lost power because prayers did nothing to end the plague
Black Death Poem Ring around the rosy, A pocketful of posies. ashes, ashes. We all fall down!.
Modern Interpretation of Poem "Symptoms of serious illness Flowers to ward off the stench We're burning the corpses We all drop dead."
D. Hundred Years’ War 1337-1453 – 116 years Series of battles between England and France that marks the end of the Middle Ages
E. Longbow Changes War “Machine gun of the Middle Ages” Were over 6 feet long Were powerful enough to penetrate armor at over 200 yards away Battle of Crecy – English army defeated French army 3 times its size with aid for longbows Heavily armored knights vanished
F. Joan of Arc 1420 – France and England signed a treaty that would give England control of France following the death of Charles V Joan of Arc – Teenage peasant girl moved by God to prevent England from ruling France
Joan of Arc
Claimed to have heard voice from God to fight against the English Joan led French army to victory at Orleans Saves France from English rule 1431 – The English capture Joan
Condemned Joan as a witch because of her claim of hearing God’s voice Was declared a heretic and burnt at the stake Years after her death she was declared a Saint of the Catholic Church