Late Middle Ages: Crisis and Transformation (14th–15th Century Europe)

Flashcards covering key topics from the Late Middle Ages: the Black Death, economic and social changes, revolts, the Hundred Years' War, papal crises, politics, technology, religion, and the precursors to the Renaissance.

What time frame does the Late Middle Ages cover?

From the early 14th century through the mid-15th century.

What was the Black Death (1347-1351) and its demographic impact?

A bubonic plague that killed an estimated 25% to 50% of Europe's population.

What economic and social changes did the Black Death trigger?

Labor shortages led to rising wages; inflation and shifts in land use, including enclosures and rent/tax strategies.

What religious and social reactions accompanied the plague?

Religious fervor such as flagellants and scapegoating of Jews reflecting fear and desperation.

What was the English enclosure movement?

A land-use change converting common lands to enclosed sheep pastures to raise wool.

What was the English Peasants' Revolt of 1381 and its aim?

A revolt demanding abolition of serfdom and reform of oppressive taxes; suppressed with harsh reprisals.

What was the Hundred Years' War (1337-1453) about?

A protracted England–France war rooted in dynastic succession disputes and economic rivalries; reshaped monarchies and warfare.

Who was Joan of Arc and what was her impact?

A French heroine who helped turn the tide in favor of France and fostered a sense of national identity.

How did the Hundred Years' War contribute to the decline of feudal military systems?

Military innovations (longbow, mercenary infantry) and war finances pushed rulers toward centralized taxation and governance.

What political changes occurred in Italy and the Holy Roman Empire during this period?

Fragmentation into semi-independent states; Italian city-states moved from republican governance toward oligarchies or dukedoms.

What weakened papal authority during the Babylonian Captivity and the Great Schism?

The papacy's captivity in Avignon and multiple claimants during the Great Schism undermined spiritual and political authority.

What intellectual and educational developments challenged scholasticism?

Growth of universities, rise of vernacular languages, and nominalism; emphasis on empirical inquiry and reform movements.

Name three technological innovations of the period.

The mechanical clock, eyeglasses, and gunpowder (including cannons) reshaped daily life and warfare.

What role did mysticism and lay religious movements play?

Growth of personal piety and lay movements such as the Brothers of the Common Life and figures like Catherine of Siena.

How did social life and urban life change during the Late Middle Ages?

Shifts in family structure, gender roles, education, and stricter urban regulation as cities grew.

How did these crises set the stage for the Renaissance and the modern era?

Technological and intellectual shifts, weakening of feudal structures, and the rise of centralized monarchies laid groundwork for the Renaissance and modern society.