Middle Ages
Battle of Morgarten (1315): Swiss Peasants Ambush the Habsburgs
Victory for Schwyz and its allies; the Habsburg army was routed and the alliance of the forest cantons was renewed at Brunnen.
Region
Europe
Middle Ages
Great Famine of 1315–1317: Rain, Hunger and Death in Europe
Millions died, perhaps 5–12% of the population of northern Europe, and rural economies were left weakened decades before the Black Death.
Middle Ages
Declaration of Arbroath (1320): Scotland's Letter to the Pope
The pope urged peace but did not immediately recognise Bruce; England accepted Scottish independence in 1328 and the letter later became a symbol of Scottish nationhood.
Middle Ages
Deposition of Edward II (1327): Isabella and Mortimer's Coup
Edward II was forced to abdicate in favour of his son Edward III; he died in captivity at Berkeley Castle later in 1327.
Middle Ages
Casimir III the Great: The King Who Rebuilt Poland, 1333–1370
Casimir left Poland larger, richer, better fortified and governed by written law; as the last Piast king, he was succeeded by his nephew Louis I of Hungary.
Middle Ages
Hundred Years' War (1337–1453): England and France at War
French victory; England lost all its lands in France except Calais, which it held until 1558.
Middle Ages
Battle of Sluys (1340): Edward III's Naval Victory Over France
Decisive English victory; most of the French fleet was captured or destroyed and the threat of a French invasion of England was ended for years.
Middle Ages
Black Death (1346–1353): The Plague That Ravaged Europe
An estimated 30–60% of Europe's population died, causing deep social, economic and religious change.
Middle Ages
Siege of Calais (1346-1347) and the Six Burghers of Calais
Calais surrendered to Edward III after eleven months and remained English until 1558.
Middle Ages
Battle of Crécy (1346): English Longbows Defeat French Knights
Decisive English victory; much of the French nobility was killed and Edward III went on to besiege and capture Calais.
Middle Ages
Stefan Dušan (1346): Serbia's Emperor and His Law Code
Dušan created the largest medieval Serbian state and issued a major law code, but his empire fragmented soon after his death in 1355.
Middle Ages
Order of the Garter (1348): Edward III's Order of Chivalry
Edward III created a fellowship of 26 knights under St George that survives as Britain's highest order of chivalry.