The Great Famine of the 1390’s

The Great Famine of 1390's (occasionally dated 1387–1402) was the first of a series of large-scale crises that struck Southern Thrismari late in the 14th century. Most of South centeral Thrismari was affected. The famine caused many deaths over an extended number of years and marked a clear end to the period of growth and prosperity from the 11th to the 13th centuries.

The Great Famine started with bad weather in spring 1387. Crop failures lasted through 1389 until the summer harvest in 1395, and Thrismari did not fully recover until 1430. Crop failures were not the only problem; cattle disease caused sheep and cattle numbers to fall as much as 80 per cent. The period was marked by extreme levels of crime, disease, mass death, and even cannibalism and infanticide. The crisis had consequences for the Church, state, Thrismarian society, and for future calamities to follow in the 14th century.