ROMSO Cyprus Knowledge Base

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The crisis at the end of the Middle Ages refers to a series of events in the XIV- XV centuries, with European prosperity and growth stagnating. Three major crises have led to radical changes in all areas of society - demographic collapse, political instability and religious riots.

A series of famine and epidemics, starting with the Great Hunger of 1315-1317 and especially the Black Death of 1348, halved the population. Depopulation was accompanied by endemic social and war disorders. Soil depletion, overpopulation, wars, epidemics caused hunger in Europe during the Middle Ages. In France, the Hundred Years' War, poor crops and epidemics reduced the population by two thirds.

The peasant uprisings broke out in late medieval Europe and civil wars between the nobles as the War of the Two Roses were common. The unity of the Roman Catholic Church was shattered by the Western Schisma. The Holy Roman Empire was also in decline, following the Great Integrnum (1247-1273), forming separate dynasties of the various German states.

Demography

Some researchers claim that in the early 18th century, Europe became overpopulated. Rural colonisation is over, but population levels remain high.
In the late 18th century, the "small ice age" began bringing harsh winters and reduced crops. In northern Europe, technological innovations such as heavy plow and triennial asolation have not been as effective. Lack of food and swelling prices have manifested. Wheat, oats, hay and domestic animals were increasingly rare. Malnutrition increases, and the low immune system makes the human body more susceptible to disease. In the autumn of 1314, heavy rains were rare and winters were cold and wet. Weak crops in the north caused a seven-year famine. Between 1315-1317 there was a catastrophic famine, known as the Great Hunger that hit the north-west of Europe, reducing the population by 10%.

Most governments put in place measures to ban exports of food products, condemn black market speculators, establish price control on cereals and outlaw fishing. The lands were increasingly affected in England and France due to lack of labour. The cereals that were delivered were captured by pirates or robbers and sold on the black market. Expenses for the war with Scotland resulted in massive expenses and exacerbation of inflation.
In 1337, the first wave of plague took place, and a 100-year war broke out between England and France. The situation worsened when Edward III of England and Philip the Fifth of France increased fines and rents on properties.

The European economy has entered a vicious circle of starvation - diseases, reducing productivity, and so grain production has been reduced, causing price increases. The standard of living has fallen drastically.

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