A Chronology of State Medicine, Public Health, Welfare and Related ...

1315 - 1358
1315 The Statute of Sheriffs (9 Edw.II, Stat.2).
Severe floods and poor harvests were followed by famine; recurred in 1316 and in
1317.
1318 Cambridge University (established 1223) given the right to confer degrees.
1322 Parliament, assembled at York, for the first time included representatives (24) from
Wales. Parliament was not a permanent body, but became increasingly important during the
century. See 1348.
c.1325 Quantities and prices of food, ale and wine defined. See 1429.
c.1330 The Venetian Republic founded the first national health service in Europe, and
obliged licensed practitioners to attend an annual course in anatomy (ref. Norwich, Venice,
p.298). In 1368 they were required to attend monthly meetings to exchange notes on new
cases and treatments.
1344 Statute on the Appointment of Justices of the Peace (18 Edw.III, S.2, c.2); revised
1360.
Oath of the Justices (18 EDW.III, S.4). See 1346 and 1360.
1346 Battle of Crecy.
It was ordained (20 Edw.III, S.4, c.1) that "Justices of Both Benches, Assise, etc. shall
do Right to All Men, and take no Fee but of the King". See 1360.
Royal Ordinance decreed that lepers should leave the City of London and "betake
themselves to places in the country".
1348 The "Commons" petitioned the King that their wishes be fulfilled before they would
grant supply". See 1356.
Edward III founded the Order of the Garter on St George's Day to encourage chivalry
and military adventure.
1348-50 Black Death pandemic. In England it reached a peak in July 1349 and recurred in
1361 and 1368; between a third and a half of the population died, the total falling from about
4.7
million to about 2 million, with a consequential severe shortage of labour.
1349 Statute of Labourers (23 Edw.III, Stat.) bound a labourer to serve under anyone
requiring him, and to do so for wages current two years before the plague; controlled
labourers' movements; and fixed prices of food, etc.; administered by the local justices of
peace. See 1389.
1356 The "opening" of Parliament was conducted in English instead of French. See 1362.
1357 Royal Order required that no rubbish or filth should be thrown or put into the rivers of
Thames and Flete; all such rubbish must be taken out of the City of London by cart (ref.
Simon, Sanitary Institutions, p.40). See 1358.