1316

1316 was a year in the early 14th century during a period of political and climatic strain across Eurasia. It is notable for the further unfolding of the Great Famine in Europe and for significant religious and imperial transitions in other regions.

In Europe, the famine that began in 1315 continued into 1316 and beyond. Heavy rains, flooding, and failed harvests led to crop destruction, rising grain prices, and widespread hunger. The agricultural crisis intensified social and economic stress, contributing to long-term demographic and institutional changes in some regions.

In the Catholic Church, 1316 saw the election of John XXII as pope, inaugurating a continuation of the Avignon Papacy. John XXII's pontificate would shape church policy and its relations with secular rulers, especially within the Holy Roman Empire, as part of the broader conflict between papal authority and imperial power during this era.

In the Mongol-ruled Ilkhanate of Persia, 1316 marked a dynastic transition. The ruler Öljaitü died, and he was succeeded by Abu Sa'id Bahadur Khan. This change affected the governance of the Ilkhanate and influenced political dynamics in the Persian region and surrounding areas within the Mongol realm.

Across other parts of Europe and Asia, the year reflected ongoing tensions and shifting alliances characteristic of the period, including frontier conflicts, dynastic succession, and the continuing impact of climate-driven crises on medieval society. 1316 sits within a broader pattern of crisis and transition that would shape developments in the mid-14th century.