1346 CE
It was a year in the 14th century, in the midst of a period known in European history as the Late Middle Ages. In Asia that year, the Black Death came to the troops of the Golden Horde Khanate; the disease also affected the Genoese Europeans they were attacking, before spreading to the rest of Europe. In Central and East Asia, there was a series of revolts after Kazan Khan was killed in an uprising, and the Chagatai Khanate began to splinter and fall; several revolts in China began what would eventually lead to the overthrow of the Yuan dynasty. The Indian kingdom of Vijayanagara won several victories over Muslim conquerors in the north in this year as well.
In the 1340s, the 14th century.
Geopolitics & Diplomacy
Conflict & Security
- April 1–August 20 – Siege of Aiguillon: The French fail to take Aiguillon from its English defenders.source
- 23 April (until April 29) – the castles of Lea, Kilmohide and Balylethan in Leinster captured by Uí Mhórdha, Uí Chonchobair (Ó Conchubhair Fáilghe) and Uí Dhíomusaigh [3].Irelandsource
- 4 May – the above castles "broken" by the above on this date [4].Irelandsource
- May–June – An English invasion fleet assembles at Portsmouth.source
- June 9 – Battle of St Pol de Léon: The English army defeats Charles of Blois in Brittany.source
- June 15 – Genoese forces led by Simone Vignoso land on the Mediterranean island of Chios and capture it from local Greek control within a week, apart from the Castle of Chios, which resists until 12 September.source
- June 24 – The leaders of Ghent, Bruges and Ypres agree to support Edward III.source
- July 11–12 – Edward III and the English army cross the English Channel and begin an invasion of France.source
- July 12–18 – The English raid and burn neighbouring towns and villages in the Cotentin Peninsula.source
- July 26 – Battle of Caen (1346): An English army captures and sacks the French city of Caen.source
- July – Edward III orders the closing of English ports to stop information from reaching France.source
- August 24 – Battle of Blanchetaque: The English defeat the French.source
- August 26 – Battle of Crécy: The English defeat the French, in the first European battle where gunpowder is used.source
- September 4 – The English begin the siege of Calais.source
- September–October – Anglo-Gascon offensives overrun large parts of southwest France.source
- October 4 – The English capture and sack the French city of Poitiers.source
- October 17 – Battle of Neville's Cross: The English army defeats the Scots.source
- "In that winter there was a war between the English, namely W[alter] de Bermingham, and the Earl of Kildare, and Uí Mhórdha and Uí Dhíomusaigh, and they attacked and burnt their lands; they killed few men however." [11].Irelandsource
- "At this time the whole of the Irish of Leinster placed themselves at war against the English and the peaceful people, burning, plundering and killing whomsoever they were able, sparing neither churches nor sacred places nor vestments. On the contrary they plundered and burnt churches and cemeteries in various places, like the church of Duleek and Fennor and Cloghan et cetera." [2].Irelandsource
Exploration & Expansion
Religion & Belief
Technology & Infrastructure
- Repairs are made in the Hagia Sophia.source
Health & Medicine
- Spring – A severe Bubonic Plague epidemic begins in the Crimea, marking the first major epidemic of the Black Death.source
Crime & Justice
- 27 July – Roger de la Freigne, Sheriff of Kilkenny, "seized a great prey over Cearbhall Mac Giollaphádraig and over his men such as had rearely been taken in those parts, remembered by men for many years." [8].Irelandsource
- October–November – Several Mongol towns in the Crimea are cleared of inhabitants by the Black Death.source
Disasters & Accidents
- 5 May – "The one eyed Diarmaid Mac Giollaphádraig ... aided by the Uí Céarbhail ... burned the town of Aghaboe and the cemetery and church and cruelly forsaking St. Canice, abbot, patron of the neighbourhood and found of the place, he, like a degenerate son to his father, burnt and completely destroyed with the crullest fire, the saint's shrine with his bones and relics." [5].Irelandsource
Culture & Society
Births
Deaths
- February 10 – Blessed Clare of Rimini (born 1282)source
- March 28 – Venturino of Bergamo, Dominican preacher (born 1304)source
- 9 April – Ralph de Ufford, Justicier of Ireland, dies at Kilmainham. [13].Irelandsource
- 24 June – "Around the Feast of the Baptist, four hundred of the men of Uriel and Dundalk were killed by the Irish." [7].Irelandsource
- August 26 – John of Bohemia (born 1296) — killed in the Battle of Crécysource
- August 26 – Louis I, Count of Flanders (born 1304) — killed in the Battle of Crécysource
- August 26 – Charles II, Count of Alençon (born 1297) — killed in the Battle of Crécysource
- August 26 – Rudolph, Duke of Lorraine (born 1320) — killed in the Battle of Crécysource
- August – Muhammad Aytimur, leader of the Sarbadars of Sabzewar (alternative date is September)source
- 9 September – Thadhg mac Ruaidhrí Ó Céarbhaill, princeps of Ely O'Carrol, a powerful, wealthy, rich and warlike man, a particular persecutor and enemy of the English and faithful subjects, was killed by Lord Fulk de la Freigne. He (Ó Céarbhaill) killed, exiled and ejected from his lands of Ely O'Carroll those of the nation of de Barry, de Milleborne, de Brit and other English of the neighbourhood, and he took and occupied their lands and castles, being an oppressive tyrant to all faithful subjects nearby. On the same day Ruaidhrí, son of Ó Mórdha was captured by the same. Nicholas le Grasse was killed." [9].Irelandsource
- October 17 – Maurice de Moravia, Earl of Strathearn — killed in the Battle of Neville's Crosssource
- October 17 – John Randolph, 3rd Earl of Moray — killed in the Battle of Neville's Crosssource
- October – Raghnall Mac Ruaidhrí, Scottish magnatesource
- November 14 – Ostasio I da Polenta, Lord of Ravenna (assassinated)source
- 23 November – "Around the Feast of St. Clement, thirty menn of the Dhíomusaigh were killed at Ardscull by two men, Thomas Wogan and Walter Lenfaunt." [10].Irelandsource
- November 27 – Saint Gregory of Sinai (born c. 1260)source
- Eustace Folville, English outlawsource
- Hélion de Villeneuve, Grand Master of the Knights of St Johnsource