Late Middle Ages (Black Death)

The Late Middle Ages, roughly from the 14th to 15th centuries, was a turbulent period marked by significant events, including the Black Death. This devastating plague swept through Europe in the 1340s, killing an estimated one-third of the population. The massive loss of life led to social and economic upheaval, labor shortages, and shifts in power dynamics. It challenged the feudal system and contributed to the decline of the Church’s authority. Despite its horrors, the Black Death also paved the way for social changes and set the stage for the Renaissance, signaling the end of the medieval era.