Plague, famine and chivalry: a human history of the 14th century

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Jun 3, 2025

Historian Helen Carr, author of "Sceptred Isle: A New History of the Fourteenth Century," guides listeners through the tumultuous 14th century. She examines the struggles of monarchs like Edward II, whose reign was marked by personal and political chaos. The devastating impacts of the Black Death and famine are explored, alongside the emergence of the Peasants' Revolt. Carr emphasizes the human stories behind these events, shedding light on the vulnerabilities and leadership challenges faced by rulers during this transformative era.

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INSIGHT

Edward II's Power Sharing Fails

Edward II's reign struggled because he tried to share power with favorites, destabilizing traditional power structures.
The established hierarchy was crucial for maintaining political stability in 14th-century England.

INSIGHT

Wheel of Fortune Metaphor

The Wheel of Fortune metaphor illustrates the volatile shifts of power in Edward II's reign and the 14th century.
Kings and nobles experienced rapid rises and falls influenced by political rivalries and betrayals.

INSIGHT

Edward III's Chivalric Power

Edward III united the nobility by creating a chivalric brotherhood, making war and tournaments popular.
He linked kingship to mythology and religion, fueling national identity and royal prestige.

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Piers Ploughman

William Langland

A Distant Mirror

The Calamitous 14th Century

Barbara W. Tuchman

In this book, Barbara W. Tuchman delves into the complexities of the 14th century, a period characterized by the juxtaposition of a glittering age of crusades, cathedrals, and chivalry with a world plunged into chaos and spiritual agony. Tuchman examines the great rhythms of history as well as the details of domestic life, including childhood, marriage, and the impact of money, taxes, and war on various social classes. She re-creates the lives of diverse figures such as cardinals, scholars, grocers, saints, and knights, providing a comprehensive and vivid portrait of medieval Europe. The book also draws parallels between the calamities of the 14th century and those of the 20th century, particularly the devastating effects of the plague and World War I[1][2][4].

Sceptred Isle

A New History of the 14th Century

Helen Carr

Helen Carr's 'Sceptred Isle' delves into the tumultuous history of 14th century England, dominated by Edward III and the Black Death. The book examines the political power struggles, the impact of war, and the effects of the plague on society. Carr illustrates how human concerns were shaped by power dynamics and political choices. Edward III's reign, marked by his pursuit of the French crown, is a central focus. The book illuminates the vivid and desperate nature of the era, capturing its glories and terrors. Carr's narrative brings to life the individuals and events that shaped this transformative period in English history.

The Decameron

Giovanni Boccaccio

The Decameron is a collection of novellas written by Giovanni Boccaccio, composed between 1349 and 1353. The book is structured as a frame story where ten young people (seven women and three men) escape the Black Death in Florence by retreating to a villa in the countryside. Over ten days, each member of the group tells a story, resulting in a total of 100 tales. The stories cover a wide range of themes, including love, fortune, wit, and deception. Boccaccio's work is notable for its humanistic perspective, emphasizing intelligence and wit over dogma, and it provides a vivid portrayal of contemporary urban society during the time of the plague. The Decameron has had a profound influence on Renaissance literature and continues to be a significant work in Italian literature[1][3][4].