Little Margin for Error

Changing weather patterns, the ineffectiveness of medieval governments in dealing with crises, and population level at a historical high made it a time with little margin for error in food production. 

Factors in the Great Famine	Current Factors
Anomaly: Warm Climate Massive crop failure (1315-1317, 5-12% dead) Extreme weather Flooding Class Warfare Increased Crime Inflation Epidemic Disease  Lifespan reduction (from 29.84 years in 1301-1325 to 17.33 years in 1348-1375.)	Anomaly: Heat wave Heat related death Burned crops Sacrificed livestock Extreme weather Flooding Class Warfare Increased Crime Inflation Epidemic Disease Lifespan reduction Social unrest and disruption Schools Hospitals Labor Climate Anomaly: Drought Rivers dry up and goods can’t get where they’re going Hydroelectric production compromised Supply Chain breakdown Climate

The Great Famine of 1315–1317 (occasionally dated 1315–1322) was the first of a series of large-scale crises that struck Europe early in the 14th century. Most of Europe (extending east to Russia and south to Italy) 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.