Directory

1400 CE

A year defined by Owen Glendower's revolt in Wales, the consolidation of Timur's vast empire across Central Asia, and the continued expansion of Ming dynasty power under the Jianwen Emperor.

Geopolitics & Diplomacy

  • King Henry IV of England faced growing opposition from Welsh nobles and English lords who questioned the legitimacy of his seizure of the throne from Richard II.
  • The Jianwen Emperor of the Ming dynasty continued efforts to reduce the power of regional princes, creating tensions that would soon erupt into civil war.
  • The Republic of Venice maintained its dominance over Adriatic trade routes and expanded its territorial holdings along the Dalmatian coast.
  • King Martin I of Aragon consolidated his rule over the Crown of Aragon, including Sicily and Sardinia, while navigating complex Mediterranean alliances.
  • The Kingdom of Poland under King Wladyslaw II Jagiello strengthened its union with Lithuania through shared dynastic and military cooperation.
  • The Kingdom of Scotland under Robert III faced internal instability as real power was exercised by his brother Robert, Duke of Albany.

Conflict & Security

  • Owen Glendower launched a revolt against English rule in Wales in September, declaring himself Prince of Wales and rallying widespread Welsh support.
  • Henry IV of England faced a conspiracy known as the Epiphany Rising early in the year, in which loyalists of the deposed Richard II attempted to assassinate him.
  • The former King Richard II of England died in captivity at Pontefract Castle under mysterious circumstances, likely from starvation in February.
  • The Byzantine Empire under Emperor Manuel II Palaiologos faced mounting Ottoman pressure on its remaining territories in Greece and Thrace.

Economy & Finance

  • Italian banking houses in Florence, including the Medici and Alberti families, expanded their financial operations across Europe through networks of branch offices.
  • The Ming dynasty maintained its policy of using paper currency, though inflation and counterfeiting continued to undermine public confidence in the notes.

Technology & Infrastructure

  • Construction continued on the Milan Cathedral, one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in Europe, employing thousands of masons and craftsmen.

Science & Discovery

  • Geoffrey Chaucer, the renowned English poet and author of The Canterbury Tales, died on October 25 and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
  • The University of Kraków expanded its curriculum in mathematics and astronomy, attracting students from across Central Europe.
  • Scholars at the University of Prague debated natural philosophy and theology, contributing to intellectual currents that preceded the Hussite movement.

Climate & Environment

  • Atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration was approximately 272 parts per million, as later confirmed by ice core analysis.

Culture & Society

  • Christine de Pizan continued her literary career in France, producing influential works on politics, ethics, and the role of women in society.
  • The Lollard movement in England, inspired by the teachings of John Wycliffe, continued to challenge established Church doctrine and practice.
  • The estimated world population was approximately 350 million.