The terrible epidemic known as the bubonic plague came into France from the Mediterranean in 1348 and spread quickly throughout the land, killing almost one-third of the total population. The Black Death persisted for almost half a century with further outbreaks in 1361, 1362, 1369, 1372, 1382, 1388, and 1398.

This contributed to the dismal state France was in. There was social and political unrest as the value of labor of the survivors increased sharply, triggering increases in wages and prices. Psychological side effects resulted in the proliferation of fanatical religious movements, there were many peasant uprisings and mercenary bands terrorized the countryside.