1364

1361 1362 1363 1364 1365 1366 1367 1368 1369 1370

political events

France's Jean II dies at London April 8 at age 45, having been held prisoner for all but a couple of months since his capture at the Battle of Poitiers in 1356. His body is sent home with royal honors and he is succeeded by his 27-year-old son, who will reign until 1380 as Charles V. The new king promptly challenges Charles II (the Bad) of Navarre for the succession of Burgundy and his forces under the command of Bertrand du Guesclin gain a major victory over Navarre in May at Cocherel in the War of the Breton Succession. Having twice been taken prisoner himself in various encounters since 1359, du Guesclin takes prisoners who include the English ally Jean de Grailly, captal de Buch, but he suffers a serious loss in September at Auray, where he has supported Charles de Blois. De Blois is killed, du Guesclin is taken prisoner by Sir John Chandos, and he is released only after payment of 40,000 gold francs. The English victory so elates the Black Prince that he imposes harsh and tyrannical measures in Aquitaine, shrugging off his former tutor Sir John Chandos's remonstrations and antagonizing all of Gascony (see 1369; Treaty of Guerand, 1365).

Sweden's Magnus II Eriksson abdicates under pressure at age 47 after a weak 44-year reign in which he has exercised personal power for 31 years. His son and joint king Haakon VI has come to his aid against rebellious noblemen, but they are defeated, Haakon retreats, Magnus is taken prisoner, and he is succeeded by Albrecht of Mecklenburg, a tool of the Swedish aristocracy whose members will permit him to rule until 1387. Magnus is placed in confinement (he will be held prisoner until 1371, whereupon he will leave for Norway). The Finns will give Albrecht a chilly reception, and by 1374 the Swedish nobleman Bo Jonsson Grip will have gained title to all of Finland, which he will retain until his death in 1386.

The Austro-Hungarian Empire has its beginnings in succession treaties signed with the Hapsburgs by the Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV, who is also king of Bohemia.

English condottiere Sir John Hawkwood (Giovanni Acuto) leads Pisan troops against Florence and raids that city (see 1360). Having fought under Edward III against the French and for the marquis of Monferrato against Milan, he has become famous for his company's white armor, blood-curdling war cries, and night raids, but he will offer his services to anyone willing to pay enough and not remain loyal for long to any side. The Florentines will forgive him for his raid and establish good relations with him (see 1372).

The Majapahit emperor Gajah Mada dies after a reign that has brought prosperity to Java and Bali (see 1292). The empire begins to decline (see 1389; religion, 1297).

education

The University of Kraków is founded by Poland's Casimir the Great.

food availability

Famine strikes France following a bad harvest, and plague in epidemic form follows on the heels of hunger.

food and drink

Europeans commonly eat the main meal of the day at 9 o'clock in the morning.

1361 1362 1363 1364 1365 1366 1367 1368 1369 1370

Tools

Giovanni di Dondi publishes the first description of a modern clock, weight-powered, escapement-regulated, and with a balance wheel. This form of clock is evidently invented about this time by Dondi or members of his family, although key elements, such as the escapement, are no doubt borrowed from the Chinese or other Western clockmakers. Dondi's famous astronomical clock, using these principles, is built between 1348 and this time. See also 1348 Tools; 1406 Tools.

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