1340s facts for kids
| Millennium: | 2nd millennium |
| Centuries: | 13th century – 14th century – 15th century |
| Decades: | 1310s 1320s 1330s – 1340s – 1350s 1360s 1370s |
| Years: | 1340 1341 1342 1343 1344 1345 1346 1347 1348 1349 |
| Categories: | Births – Deaths – Architecture Establishments – Disestablishments |
The 1340s were a time of big changes in Europe and beyond! This decade saw a terrible disease spread across the continent, major battles, and new inventions that changed warfare forever.
Contents
Important People Who Passed Away
- 1346, March 15 – Shah Jalal (born 1271): Shah Jalal was a very respected Muslim leader and teacher from Bengal (which is now part of Bangladesh). He helped spread the Islamic faith in that region.
Major Events and Trends
The Black Death Begins to Spread
One of the most significant events of the 1340s was the start of the Black Death. This terrible disease, a type of plague, began to spread across Europe. It caused a huge number of deaths and changed society in many ways, affecting everything from farming to how people lived and worked.
Big Battles and New Weapons
The 1340s were also a time of major conflicts, especially between England and France.
The Battle of Sluys
In 1340, the Battle of Sluys took place. This was a huge naval battle fought between the ships of the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of France. It was a very important fight because it gave England control of the English Channel, which was key for moving troops and supplies.
The Battle of Crécy
On August 26, 1346, a famous battle called the Battle of Crécy happened. In this battle, Edward III of England led his army to victory against Philip VI of France. This battle is well-known for a few reasons:
- English Longbowmen: The English army used skilled archers with powerful longbows. These archers were incredibly effective and caused a lot of damage to the French cavalry (soldiers on horseback).
- Cannons Used for the First Time: The Battle of Crécy is also famous because it was one of the first times cannons were used in a European battle. This was a huge step in military technology!
Changes in Other Parts of the World
While Europe was dealing with plague and wars, other parts of the world were also seeing changes. The powerful Mali Empire in West Africa was thriving around this time. Meanwhile, in North America, the Mississippian culture, which had built large mound cities, began to decline more quickly from the 1340s onwards.
Images for kids
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An illustration of fashion among nobles hawking, from the Codex Manesse, completed around 1340.
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The western front of Notre Dame de Paris, a famous cathedral, completed in 1345.
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Bernardo Daddi's Crucifixion (1340–1345).
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A sketch of William of Ockham, a famous thinker, from a 1341 book called Summa Logicae.
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A map showing the Mali Empire around the end of the 1340s.
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The decline of the Mississippian culture sped up from the 1340s.
See also
In Spanish: Años 1340 para niños
