The Great Famine of 1315: When England Starved

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the Great Famine of 1315–1317, a catastrophic period of rain, crop failure, and mass starvation that struck northern Europe, especially England. They discuss the relentless downpours that rotted grain in the fields, the desperate measures people took—from eating horses and dogs to abandoning infants—and the long-term social and economic consequences. The conversation covers the price spikes chronicled in the Chronicon of William of Malmesbury, the collapse of trade and order, and how the trauma of the famine contributed to later unrest like the Peasants' Revolt. Lucas draws on contemporary accounts, including the Vita Edwardi Secundi, to paint a vivid picture of a society pushed to the brink. They also touch on the role of climate change, the breakdown of manorial obligations, and the eerie parallels with modern crises. A sobering look at how medieval England weathered—or failed to weather—one of its greatest natural disasters. #GreatFamine #1315 #MedievalEngland #EdwardII #ClimateChange #CropFailure #Starvation #VitaEdwardiSecundi #WilliamOfMalmesbury #ManorialSystem #PeasantsRevolt #MiddleAges #England #History #MedievalHistory #Famine #Disaster #EuropeanHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo