No sooner had the Great Famine of 1315-22 taken its toll then along came the Black Death to wipe out half the remaining population but there was also a flourishing of art and literature.
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The study of western Europe between 1300 and 1400.
What will we cover?
We begin by discussing Europe in 1300 and move on to look at the causes of the Great Famine followed by the causes and consequences of the Black Death. Thereafter we look at France and England during the first half of the Hundred Years War; the Holy Roman Empire; Italy; Spain; queenship and art literature.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Assess the validity of such terms as “the calamitous fourteenth century” and the “Age of Chivalry” used to define the period 1300-1400. • Describe the social and economic impact of the Black Death • identify the key events of the Hundred Years’ War during the fourteenth century • Explain the issues faced by German Emperors in the exercise of power and how Charles IV, in particular, dealt with them. • Discuss opportunities and limitations faced by queens during the period.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
No prior knowledge is necessary but a good understanding of English is essential. An open mind and a willingness to listen to and think about views with which you do not always agree are more important than specific levels of skills.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Each week there will be a PowerPoint presentation and a seminar-style discussion of original sources (in translation) pertinent to the topic. You are invited to bring along/describe items you have read in newspapers/heard on radio/seen on TV you think may be of interest to the group. You will be encouraged to do homework reading to foster debate.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You need only bring note-taking materials. All reading materials will be provided.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Continue with the European cycle starting next September/October.
We’re sorry. We don’t have a bio ready for the tutor of this class at the moment, but we’re working on it! Watch this space.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/plague-famine-and-war-fourteenth-century-europe232389Plague, Famine and War: Fourteenth Century Europehttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/t/h/the_triumph_of_death_by_pieter_bruegel_the_elder.jpg219219GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/European history/Courses/Online courses228511771178118217311228511771178No sooner had the Great Famine of 1315-22 taken its toll then along came the Black Death to wipe out half the remaining population but there was also a flourishing of art and literature.002998622Plague, Famine and War: Fourteenth Century Europe219219https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/t/h/the_triumph_of_death_by_pieter_bruegel_the_elder_4.jpgInStockDaytimeFriOnlineAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-04-24T00:00:00+00:00Apr 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHEH131219219Plague, Famine and War: Fourteenth Century Europe175142219Vanessa Kingplague-famine-and-war-fourteenth-century-europe/heh131-2526No sooner had the Great Famine of 1315-22 taken its toll then along came the Black Death to wipe out half the remaining population but there was also a flourishing of art and literature.0000-Available|2026-04-24 00:00:00The study of western Europe between 1300 and 1400.No sooner had the Great Famine of 1315-22 taken its toll then along came the Black Death to wipe out half the remaining population but there was also a flourishing of art and literature.We begin by discussing Europe in 1300 and move on to look at the causes of the Great Famine followed by the causes and consequences of the Black Death. Thereafter we look at France and England during the first half of the Hundred Years War; the Holy Roman Empire; Italy; Spain; queenship and art literature.• Assess the validity of such terms as “the calamitous fourteenth century” and the “Age of Chivalry” used to define the period 1300-1400. <br/>• Describe the social and economic impact of the Black Death <br/>• identify the key events of the Hundred Years’ War during the fourteenth century <br/>• Explain the issues faced by German Emperors in the exercise of power and how Charles IV, in particular, dealt with them.<br/>• Discuss opportunities and limitations faced by queens during the period.No prior knowledge is necessary but a good understanding of English is essential. An open mind and a willingness to listen to and think about views with which you do not always agree are more important than specific levels of skills.Each week there will be a PowerPoint presentation and a seminar-style discussion of original sources (in translation) pertinent to the topic. You are invited to bring along/describe items you have read in newspapers/heard on radio/seen on TV you think may be of interest to the group. You will be encouraged to do homework reading to foster debate.You need only bring note-taking materials. All reading materials will be provided.<p>Continue with the European cycle starting next September/October. </p>HistoryEuropean historyvirtual175219142HEH131NONEFri24/04/26 - 12/06/2612:30 - 14:3012:3014:308 sessions (over 8 weeks)85-10 weeksDaytimeWeekdayOnlineOnlineVanessa KingAvailable courses2026-04-24T00:00:00+00:00Apr 2026Culture, history & humanities219219Plague, Famine and War: Fourteenth Century Europeplague-famine-and-war-fourteenth-century-europe/heh131-2526No sooner had the Great Famine of 1315-22 taken its toll then along came the Black Death to wipe out half the remaining population but there was also a flourishing of art and literature.0000-Available|2026-04-24 00:00:00The study of western Europe between 1300 and 1400.No sooner had the Great Famine of 1315-22 taken its toll then along came the Black Death to wipe out half the remaining population but there was also a flourishing of art and literature.We begin by discussing Europe in 1300 and move on to look at the causes of the Great Famine followed by the causes and consequences of the Black Death. Thereafter we look at France and England during the first half of the Hundred Years War; the Holy Roman Empire; Italy; Spain; queenship and art literature.• Assess the validity of such terms as “the calamitous fourteenth century” and the “Age of Chivalry” used to define the period 1300-1400. <br/>• Describe the social and economic impact of the Black Death <br/>• identify the key events of the Hundred Years’ War during the fourteenth century <br/>• Explain the issues faced by German Emperors in the exercise of power and how Charles IV, in particular, dealt with them.<br/>• Discuss opportunities and limitations faced by queens during the period.No prior knowledge is necessary but a good understanding of English is essential. An open mind and a willingness to listen to and think about views with which you do not always agree are more important than specific levels of skills.Each week there will be a PowerPoint presentation and a seminar-style discussion of original sources (in translation) pertinent to the topic. You are invited to bring along/describe items you have read in newspapers/heard on radio/seen on TV you think may be of interest to the group. You will be encouraged to do homework reading to foster debate.You need only bring note-taking materials. All reading materials will be provided.<p>Continue with the European cycle starting next September/October. </p>HistoryEuropean historyconfigurable
11821178European historyhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/european-history1/2/285/1177/1178/11821/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/European history
