Directory

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.

Geopolitics & Diplomacy

  • April 16 – The Serbian Empire is proclaimed in Skopje by Dusan Silni, occupying much of Southeast Europe.source
  • June 20 – The English win a small victory at La Roche-Derrien in Brittany.source

Conflict & Security

  • April 1–August 20 – Siege of Aiguillon: The French fail to take Aiguillon from its English defenders.source
  • 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

Exploration & Expansion

  • March 18 – The French prepare to defend the channel coasts.source
  • July 3 – The English fleet attempts to sail from Portsmouth to Normandy, but is forced back by contrary winds.source
  • August 10 – Jaume Ferrer sets out from Mallorca for the "River of Gold", the Senegal River.source

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

  • October–November – Several Mongol towns in the Crimea are cleared of inhabitants by the Black Death.source

Culture & Society

  • July 11 – Charles IV, Count of Luxembourg and King of Bohemia, is elected King of the Romans.source

Births

  • July 20 – Margaret, Countess of Pembroke, English princess, daughter of King Edward III of England (d. 1361)source
  • date unknown – Eustache Deschamps, French poet (d. 1406)source

Deaths

  • February 10 – Blessed Clare of Rimini (b. 1282)source
  • March 28 – Venturino of Bergamo, Dominican preacher (b. 1304)source
  • August 26 (killed in the Battle of Crécy):source
  • August – Muhammad Aytimur, leader of the Sarbadars of Sabzewar (alternative date is September)source
  • October – Raghnall Mac Ruaidhrí, Scottish magnatesource
  • November 14 – Ostasio I da Polenta, Lord of Ravenna (assassinated)source
  • November 27 – Saint Gregory of Sinai (b. c. 1260)source
  • Rudolph, Duke of Lorraine (b. 1320)source
  • John Randolph, 3rd Earl of Moraysource
  • Eustace Folville, English outlawsource
  • Hélion de Villeneuve, Grand Master of the Knights of St Johnsource
  • Charles II, Count of Alençon (b. 1297)source
  • Louis I, Count of Flanders (b. 1304)source
  • Maurice de Moravia, Earl of Strathearnsource