1. The Later Middle Ages

2. The Black Death One of two major events that contributed to the decline of medieval society 1348 bubonic plague reached Europe Followed trade routes Europe lost at least 1/3 of its population Loss of population had far-reaching effects  Countryside short of peasants  Lords switched from growing grain to raising livestock  End result was more land for peasants to grow food for their families

3. The Black Death The lords lost the most in these changes Short supply of workers meant higher wages Fewer people to buy food so lower prices for produce By 1400 most lords gave up agriculture and rented their farms to tenant farmers for cash

4. Video: The Black Death

5. The Hundred Years War Second major event 1337 King Edward III refused to accept French king as his overlord and claimed he was the true king of France Almost all fighting was on French soil so France suffered more than England French nobles did not protect peasants against English raids French peasants had to pay higher taxes to fund the war

6. The Hundred Years War 1358 peasants near Paris begin to revolt This is known as the Jacquerie England not immune…peasants there grew tired of higher taxes because of the war Poll tax very unfair because everyone had to pay the same amount whether rich or poor 1381 English peasants revolt, capture London, and kill the Archbishop of Canterbury Peasant revolts showed that feudal society was breaking down

7. The Hundred Years War 1429 Joan of Arc convinces French king to allow her to lead the French forces Victory at Orleans by Joan of Arc gave French confidence 1453 English only controlled the Port of Calais The war also brought changes in systems of government France – king gained absolute power and ruled without help from the lords

8. The Hundred Years War England – kings needed the Parliament more and more because it had to give consent to new taxes Those that sat in Parliament tightened their control over the king

9. Decay of the Church Black Death weakened faith in the Church Prayers did not keep away the plague People began seeing corruption in the Church England, John Wycliffe, professor at Oxford University, calls for reforms and attacks the Church’s teachings Wycliffe claimed people could learn Christian values from the Bible and did not need to depend on the priests

10. Decay of the Church Church became divided by several disputes At one point there were three popes being recognized Pope in Rome, Pope in Avignon, and a third created by clergy trying to heal the trouble between Rome and Avignon All refused to respect the power of the other 1414 Council of Constance created Council removed the three popes from power and created a single pope

11. Decay of the Church Popes failed to keep promises made at Constance These popes did not want to lose power so did not call councils after 1460 This was a direct conflict to the promises laid out by Council of Constance As a result sinful behaviour began spreading to all areas of European society