The Little Ice Age Began
At the start of the 14th century, global temperatures dropped by around 2°C. In a world still held back by a lack of technological progression at the end of the Middle Ages, this was life-changing. Throw in a devastating plague, countless military conquests throughout Europe and extremely high levels of global poverty and you’ve got a recipe for disaster.
There are several reasons suggested to be the cause of this ‘little ice age’, but the effects were categorical. Rivers and lakes froze across Europe, preventing travel and restricting the general water supply. Grain harvests, which the population relied so heavily upon, were totally disrupted, causing a natural shift out of serfdom for many.