Читать книгу Anglo-American Cultural Studies - Jody Skinner - Страница 79

long reign, short lifespanEdward IIIEdward III is also associated with a very long war with FranceFrance, which became known as the Hundred Years WarHundred Years War and lasted even longer than Edward III reigned. Edward III along with Henry IIIHenry III, whom we just passed over, and George IIIGeorge III, whom we’ll be meeting soon, were among the longest reigning monarchs. Edward III managed to live so long in spite of an epidemic that cut short the lives of many of his subjects: an epidemic called the Black DeathBlack Death or the Bubonic PlaguePlague, which dramatically reduced the population within just a few years. Since the Plague destroyed people and not possessions, those left alive were wealthier; the few workers left could also demand higher wages although these demands led to revolts. The powerpower of the RomanRoman CatholicRoman Catholic Church was shaken since the Church was unable to provide help; the persecution of the JewsJews and other minority groups, who were often blamed for the outbreak, increased. Just as the horrors of the Black Death were beginning to subside, the quarrels between the two Houses of YorkYork and LancasterLancaster were beginning.