History
1356
General
Population: 353 Million*
- Culture: Renaissance unofficially begins (early estimate)
- Entertainment: John Mandeville publishes fictional “Travels” describing the phoenix, vegetable lamb, gold-guarding griffins and gold-digging ants
- Religion: Rule of pope weakens in Holy Roman Empire
Europe
- England: Edward the Black Prince (son of Edward III) defeats French at Poitiers – King John II and son Philip taken prisoners
- Holy Roman Empire: Charles IV issues "Golden Bull" settling election of German/HRE kings with seven electors instead of Papal control
- Switzerland: Quake kills 1000 est. 6.5