01355383 Varieties of English and Cultures of English Native Speakers 04 | Page 7

Amidst wars and political
turmoil, the country was struck
by a widespread famine and a
devastating plague. The
outbreak of the Black Death
swept across England in 1348-
1350, killing one third of the
population, including the
majority of the Norman lords.
The Anglo-Normans were less
and less in number, and with
that, their influence declined in
England.