Digergerförlopp

Digergerförlopp refers to a historical term used to describe a series of devastating events that occurred during the late Middle Ages, particularly in the 14th century. It encompasses a combination of widespread famine, plague, and social unrest that significantly impacted populations across Europe and beyond. The term itself is derived from the Old Norse words "diger" meaning "great" or "terrible," and "ger" potentially relating to "year" or "event," thus suggesting a catastrophic period.

The primary driver of this widespread crisis was the Great Famine of 1315-1317, which was triggered by exceptionally severe weather conditions leading to widespread crop failures. This prolonged period of starvation weakened populations, making them more susceptible to diseases. The most significant of these was the Black Death, a bubonic plague pandemic that swept across continents from 1347 to 1351, causing an estimated mortality rate of 30-60% of Europe's population.

Beyond famine and plague, the digergerförlopp also witnessed a rise in social and political instability. Economic disruption caused by depopulation led to labor shortages, peasant revolts, and a questioning of established authorities. The cumulative effect of these interconnected crises profoundly altered the social, economic, and demographic landscape of the medieval world, marking a turning point in European history.