1370

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political events

Sir John Chandos leads his ill-provisioned force against the French outside Poitiers January 1, his horse slips in the mud, his feet get tangled in his long robe, and a French knight's lance goes through his face and neck in a skirmish at Lussac-les-Châteaux, and he dies at Mortemer, but only after seeing his men triumph (see 1369). A member of the Order of the Garter since its founding in 1349, Chandos has served as seneschal of Poitu and shown remarkable administrative (as well as military) ability. France's Charles V recalls Sir John's favorite adversary Bertrand du Guesclin from Spain to fight the English at Limoges, follows du Guesclin's military advice, and will be so successful that by 1375 the settlements made in 1360 will have been made moot. Du Guesclin will have gained several major victories by 1373 with help, notably, from Louis II, 3rd duc de Bourbon (see 1372).

The Hanseatic League reaches the height of its political power after taking united—and successful—military action against Denmark's Valdemar IV Atterdag (see 1368). The Treaty of Stralsund gives the League a monopoly in the Baltic trade that will continue for 70 years, and the Hanse gains control of Scandinavian politics, although Valdemar's realm is left intact (see 1375).

Poland's Casimir III (the Great) (Kazimierz Wielk) dies in a hunting accident November 5 at age 60 after a long reign in which he has repulsed a Mongol invasion, annexed Galicia, codified his country's legal system, permitted peasants to move from one place to another, encouraged the immigration of Jews to serve as bankers and tax collectors, and founded the University of Kraków. Having no direct heir, he has promised in 1335 that his crown shall pass to Louis of Anjou, son of Hungary's late Charles I, who will reign until 1382, governing through regents.

commerce

Florence's Medici family regains prominence as merchant Salvestro de' Medici wins appointment to the high ceremonial position of gonfaliere (standard bearer) with support from small artisans (the ciompi) (see 1296). Salvestro will hold the office again in 1378 and become virtual dictator, but his brutal administration will lead to his downfall, his political fortunes will decline along with those of the ciompi, and he will be banished in 1382 (see Giovanni, 1421).

religion

Pope Urban V dies at Avignon December 19 after an 8-year reign and is succeeded by Pierre Roger de Beaufort, 39, a nephew of the late Clement VI who wins unanimous election by the college of cardinals at Avignon (see 1371).

architecture, real estate

England's Exeter Cathedral is completed after 90 years of construction.

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