The Great Famine occurred throughout Europe from 1315-1317 and recovery was not complete until 1325. It was caused by heavy rains in 1315 that made planting impossible and ruined crops. People resorted to eating wild plants, slaughtering draft animals, and seed grain to survive, while some abandoned children or starved themselves so others could eat. The famine caused increases in crime, damaged the authority of governments and the Church, stopped population growth, and made future crises more devastating. Estimates suggest 10-25% of urban populations died from malnutrition and related diseases.

1. The Great Famine

2. Widespread food shortageOccurred throughout EuropeLasted from 1315-1317, although Europe did not fully recover until 1325Caused by incessant and harsh rain starting during the spring of 1315The weather pattern did not return to normal until the summer of 1317What was the Great Famine ?

3. How did the GreatFamine effect crops?Made it impossible to plow the fields ready for cultivationRotted the seed grainThe animal’s straw and hay couldn’t be preservedHarvest was much smaller than usual

4. How did the people providethemselves with food?People harvested wild edible fruits, plants, grasses, nuts, and bark found in the forestSlaughtered draft animalsAte seed grainAbandoned childrenMany elderly voluntarily starved themselves so that younger family members would survive Connection to Hansel & Gretel

5. What consequences didthe Great Famine cause?Damaged the Church’s authority (no amount of prayer stopped the effects of the Great Famine)Increase in criminal activity (rape, murder, and cannibalism)Damaged the authority/power of the Medieval governmentsStopped the population growthMade future events, such as the Black Death, more harmfulMedieval Church music

6. What fatalities did theGreat Famine cause?It is estimated that 10%-25% of the population of many cities and towns diedPeople were weakened by diseases such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and tuberculosis

7. Work Citedhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Famine_of_1315%E2%80%931317#Great_Faminehttp://www.vlib.us/medieval/lectures/black_death.htmlhttp://www.uwmc.uwc.edu/csepa/mhall/IGS/Plagues/PIA/Images/bruegheldeath.jpghttp://www.scienceclarified.com/scitech/images/lsbv_0001_0001_0_img0007.jpghttp://www.curtisclark.org/emusic/midi/machdous.mid