The History of the World Podcast, written and presented by Chris Hasler

Volume 4, the Medieval World

Episode 46, it's all.

Oh, you know. Oh, now. The world in 1347 was allowing the dust to settle following the westward expansion of the

Mongol Empire that took place from the beginning of the 13th century from its origins in the far East

and had expanded to dominate the lands of Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

The Delhi Sultanate was expanding its borders from within the Indian subcontinent

and taking lands away from the successor states of the Mongols in southern Asia

strengthening the Hindu kingdoms.

Western Europe was a network of feudal relationships that were highly influenced by the

Pope who was seen as the validator of sacred appointments

including bishops and kings.

Conflicts were taking place in the British Isles, France, the Iberian and Italian

peninsula's and the Holy Roman Empire and they were highly influenced by

papal validation or indeed the lack of it.

Knights were held in high esteem and respected for their wealth and status within the societies of Western Europe, even though orders such as the

Knights Templar had been targeted and extinguished by the French monarch Philip the fourth.

The earliest signs of gunpowder use had started to emerge in Europe, having migrated from

the cultures of the Far East, but initially the weaponry was not widely or well developed, so its use was only an additional aid to traditional weaponry.

The Republic of Florence in the north of the Italian Peninsula

had become a recognised centre for artistry which predated the European Renaissance

but irresponsible banking prevented Florence from prospering as a result of its mercantile

...