Black Death, Scottish Independence, and John Wycliffe: Key Facts

Posted on Mar 25, 2025 in Early Childhood Education

Black Death Facts

The bubonic plague originated in China and then arrived in England in 1348.
Flagellation was one method people used to try to escape the disease.
The Great Fire of London in 1666 is thought to have helped end the plague by destroying houses and rat populations.
The Black Death arrived in Europe by sea in October 1347, carried by 12 Italian merchant ships docking in Messina, Sicily.
There were three variants of the plague: bubonic (characterized by buboes), pneumonic (affecting the respiratory system), and septicemic (attacking the blood system).
Fleas, not rats, caused the Black Death. However, rats helped spread the disease quickly due to unsanitary conditions.

The Lollards movement spread rapidly after Wycliffe’s death, starting with his supporters at Oxford and the royal court, and becoming a popular movement.
In 1382, the Archbishop of Canterbury condemned John Wycliffe’s writings, but Wycliffe himself continued to write until his death in 1384.
The Twelve Conclusions of the Lollards were presented to Parliament in 1394.

The Second War of Scottish Independence began in 1333 when Edward III of England did not accept the 1328 Treaty of Northampton.
After the Battle of Neville’s Cross, David was imprisoned in the Tower of London for eleven years, during which time Scotland was ruled by Robert Stewart.
Robert forced Isabella and her lover Earl Mortimer of March to sign the Treaty of Edinburgh-Northampton in 1328, recognizing Scottish independence.

Robert the Bruce had a disastrous start to his reign, provoking civil war and war with England. One of his brothers was killed, and his family was captured. His forces were defeated at Methven in June 1306, and he fled to the Gaelic west.
Returning to Scotland, Robert waged a successful guerrilla war. He defeated a larger English army under Edward II at the Battle of Bannockburn in June 1314, confirming Scottish independence.
The deposition of Edward II in 1327 and the peace with Scotland included a renunciation of English claims to superiority over Scotland.

After the death of Alexander III in 1286, Scotland was governed by a group of nobles called the Guardians.
Edward I of England intervened in the dispute between John Balliol and Robert Bruce, leading to Balliol being elected as sovereign of Scotland.
Edward III recognized Scotland’s independence.

In 1421, English forces were defeated by the combined French and Scottish forces at the Battle of Beauge.
Joan of Arc, born in 1412, claimed divine visions and helped the French win battles. She was captured in 1430 and burned as a witch at Rouen.
The Hundred Years’ War began because Edward III of England refused to pay feudal homage to Philip VI of France and claimed the French throne.

John Wycliffe’s protector was John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster.
Wycliffe translated the Bible from Latin Vulgate to English.
Wycliffe continued to write and teach his theories, producing twelve works from 1360–1384.
John Wycliffe’s ashes were thrown into the River Swift after he was condemned.
The first version of Wycliffe’s Bible was published in 1382, with a more complete revision in 1388.