Great Famine of 1315–1317

Great Famine of 1315–1317
source
Name	Great Famine
Country	Northern Europe
Location	British Isles, France, Low Countries, Scandinavia, parts of Germany and Poland
Period	1315–1317
Total deaths	Millions
Causes	Little Ice Age, crop failure, animal disease, feudalism
Consequences	Population decline, social unrest, crisis of the Late Middle Ages
Relief	Limited alms, price controls, export bans
Preceded by	Medieval Warm Period
Followed by	Black Death

Great Famine of 1315–1317 was a catastrophic food crisis that struck much of Northern Europe in the early 14th century. Triggered by a period of extreme weather and compounded by the vulnerabilities of medieval agriculture, it resulted in widespread starvation, disease, and social upheaval. The famine killed millions and marked a definitive end to the period of population growth and economic expansion that had characterized the High Middle Ages.

Background and causes

The famine's roots lay in a confluence of environmental and societal factors. The preceding Medieval Warm Period gave way to the onset of the Little Ice Age, leading to a dramatic shift in climate patterns across the North Atlantic. Beginning in the spring of 1315, Northern Europe experienced exceptionally heavy and persistent rainfall, which saturated fields and prevented proper planting and harvesting. This crop failure was exacerbated by outbreaks of sheep rot and other animal diseases, which devastated livestock herds. The underlying feudal economic system, with its reliance on subsistence agriculture and lack of significant food storage, left populations acutely vulnerable to such shocks. Furthermore, the high population density achieved by the early 14th century, particularly in regions like Flanders and parts of England, meant that food security was already precarious.

Course and severity

The crisis began in earnest with the failed harvest of 1315 after a cold, wet spring and summer. The price of staple grains like wheat, oats, and barley soared, as recorded in accounts from London and Paris. The following year, 1316, brought no relief, with continued torrential rain and even colder temperatures reported from Scotland to the Baltic Sea. The famine reached its peak in 1317, with reports of widespread cannibalism and infanticide documented by chroniclers such as Johannes de Trokelowe in England and Jean de Venette in France. The death toll was immense, with some modern estimates suggesting a mortality rate of 10-25% in urban centers like Ypres and Bruges. The crisis was not uniform, with coastal areas sometimes faring slightly better due to access to fish and seaweed.

Societal impact

The famine caused profound social disintegration. Banditry and crime increased dramatically as people desperate for food. There were mass movements of peasants and paupers into towns, overwhelming systems of charity. The social contract of feudalism was strained, as serfs abandoned manors and lords struggled to maintain order. Religious responses were significant, with increased participation in pilgrimages, penance, and accusations that the famine was divine punishment for sin. The authority of the Roman Catholic Church was challenged as its prayers seemed unanswered. The psychological impact was recorded in contemporary art and literature, contributing to a darker cultural mood.

Government and institutional responses

Authorities attempted various measures, with limited success. Edward II of England attempted to impose price controls on grain and banned the export of foodstuffs from his realm. Similar export bans were enacted by Philip V of France and authorities in the County of Flanders. Local municipal governments in cities like Amiens and Ghent organized the distribution of alms and purchased grain for public sale. Monasteries and cathedral chapters, such as those at Canterbury Cathedral and Notre-Dame de Paris, expanded their charitable distributions. However, these efforts were hampered by corruption, inadequate logistics, and the sheer scale of the disaster. Military conflicts, like the ongoing Wars of Scottish Independence, further disrupted relief efforts.

Aftermath and historical significance

The Great Famine left a deep and lasting scar on Europe. It halted centuries of demographic growth and weakened the population, making it more susceptible to subsequent pandemics like the Black Death. Economically, it contributed to a long-term agrarian crisis, with many lands abandoned and not re-cultivated for decades. The event is seen as a pivotal trigger for the Crisis of the Late Middle Ages, a period of profound social, economic, and military turmoil. It also prompted some early changes in land management and agricultural technique, though recovery was slow. The famine demonstrated the fragility of medieval society and marked a decisive end to the relative stability of the preceding era.